Sangai Festival Opens in Imphal Amid Protests
Sangai Festival Opens in Imphal Amid Protests
Protests by IDPs and NGOs mar the start of Manipur's Sangai Festival in Imphal, as critics push for resolving ethnic conflict and IDP resettlement before tourism events.
The Sangai Festival began in Imphal on Friday, November 21, 2025, but attendance was affected as internally displaced persons and NGO activists held protests against the state’s handling of the ethnic conflict and the resettlement of IDPs ahead of the two-year hiatus. The festival, a key cultural showcase, resumes after the gap, yet critics say it should not proceed until the underlying tensions are addressed.
The protests come against the backdrop of a long-running ethnic clash between the tribal Kuki-Zo and the non-tribal Meitei communities that flared on May 3, 2023. Demonstrators from the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) and other groups urged the government to focus on peace and rehabilitation rather than tourism and public events.
Security forces intervened as some protesters attempted to storm the festival venue in Imphal, leading to clashes on the opening day. Police fired tear gas to restore order after demonstrators pelted stones, with officers and women personnel deployed to manage the crowd. The actions unfolded under a heavy security presence as authorities enforced prohibitory orders in the area.
Ahead of the protests, Leishemba Sanajaoba, a Rajya Sabha member and titular king of Manipur, accused an IPS officer of storming his residential compound and threatening security personnel while claiming he was sheltering IDPs. He filed a written complaint with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Thursday, while the police explained that a mob of around 50-60 COCO MI volunteers marched with placards and slogans opposing the festival.
The state, operating under President’s Rule, has stressed the need to balance cultural celebrations with security and civil peace. Officials noted that while the festival is a celebration of Manipuri culture, it must not come at the expense of public order or the welfare of displaced residents. Security teams, including from the Imphal East district, worked to disperse crowds and maintain a safe environment for attendees.
Cover image source: Tension erupts in Manipur as IDPs protest Sangai Festival; SP among two injured 🔗
