UKHRUL, NOV 20: A massive protest against the upcoming Sangai Festival 2025 led to a clash between protestors and security personnel at the Palace Compound in Imphal on Thursday. Following the incident, security has been significantly increased in and around the festival venues.
The scuffle erupted when protestors demanding a boycott of this year’s Sangai Festival attempted to storm the festival venue at Hapta Kangjeibung. Security personnel responded by using tear gas to disperse the crowd, bringing the brief but tense situation under control.
Hapta Kangjeibung is one of several venues where the iconic state-level Sangai Festival is scheduled to be held from November 21 to 30, 2025. During the protest, demonstrators shouted slogans such as “Manipur people boycott Sangai Festival 2025,” “Rights first, tourism later,” “Do not mislead the world, Mr Governor,” and “Heal our pain before painted normalcy,” all amid a heavy security presence.
On Thursday, massive sit-in protests were held by internally displaced persons (IDPs) across relief camps in the valley districts. The demonstrators demanded that the state government prioritise restoring dignity and homes to the thousands displaced by ethnic conflict since May 3, 2023. The protest, organised by the IDPs, received support from various civil society organizations (CSOs), including COCOMI and women vendors of Ima Keithel.
The protests were held at the relief camps located at Lamboikhongkhong Trade Centre, Konthoujam, Wangjing Kodompokpi Sports Complex in Imphal West district and at Sajiwa and Akampat in Imphal East district.
Speaking to media persons during the protest at Palace Compound, COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba condemned the government’s decision to hold the festival while thousands remain displaced due to the ongoing conflict.
“They continue without any change. They do not carry the sentiment of the people nor do they understand it. This administration has repeatedly failed the people of Manipur. They have undermined the humanitarian crisis we are living through and ignored the public mood,” Athouba said.
“All the urgent concerns have been undermined, while the government under the President Rule has given priority to organise such kind of festival that has no connection to the present suffering of the people of Manipur. If the government still refuses to change its course, it will be extremely unfortunate—and we will not turn back,” he added.
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These fresh tensions occurred during the first visit of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to Manipur since the outbreak of the ethnic conflict. His presence in the state coincided with the ongoing protests and heightened security situation.