IMPHAL, NOV 25: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a conglomerate of several organisations, has condemned two Manipur legislators for taking part in Sangai Festival which was earlier declared by many organisations to be boycotted. The two MLAs in question are Thongam Biswajit Singh of Thongju assembly constituency and Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh of Nambol assembly constituency.
The ten-day Sangai Festival kicked off on November 21.
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On November 14, COCOMI had declared a complete boycott of the upcoming Sangai Festival 2025, asserting that holding a tourism festival amid the unresolved Manipur crisis and the prolonged suffering of internally displaced persons (IDPs) would be “insensitive and unacceptable.” The COCOMI had stated that thousands of people continue to live in turmoil due to ongoing violence, displacement and insecurity across Manipur, making it inappropriate to organise any grand celebration. The committee had also emphasised that the boycott reflects the collective sentiment of the people who remain deeply affected by the conflict.
According to the COCOMI, the state has failed to restore basic constitutional rights, including the security of life and property, freedom of movement and the safe resettlement of displaced persons. Yet, the government’s focus appears to be on preparing for an international tourism festival rather than addressing urgent humanitarian and security concerns.
On Tuesday, the COCOMI said it “strongly condemned the conduct of the two MLAs who chose to attend the Sangai Festival at a time when thousands of citizens continue to endure unprecedented hardship due to the ongoing crisis in the state”.
The COCOMI said Thongam Biswajit Singh and Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh participated in the Sangai Festival “despite severe suffering being faced by the general public and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)”. The COCOMI asked whether the two MLAs’ participation in the festival reflects the sense of responsibility and empathy expected from elected representatives during times of widespread distress.
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Meanwhile, the COCOMI affirmed that it “remains committed to advocating for the rights, welfare, and dignity of the people, particularly the IDPs who continue to suffer displacement and hardship”.