Rebel groups in Manipur have slammed individuals and organisations associated with the recently-organised Sangai Festival in the state, while terming the move to organise the festival amidst the crisis a “betrayal” of the thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who continue to languish in relief camps. The outfits, comprising a coalition of five underground insurgent groups – Kangleipak Communist Party, Kanglei Yawol Kanba Lup, People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, PREPAK (Progressive) and the United National Liberation Front – demanded a public apology by December 10, 2025, from all those, including artists, business enterprises, professionals and stall owners, who took part in the festival or were associated with 10-day festival.
The Sangai Festival, it may be noted, is Manipur’s flagship cultural festival and was held from November 21 to 30, amidst vociferous protests by IDPs seeking safe return to their homes. It may be recalled that since the ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities erupted across the state in May 2023, at least 260 people have been killed, and thousands continue to remain displaced. In a joint statement, the rebel groups alleged that while the displaced families continue to face hardships and are struggling for survival, the state administration (which is under President’s Rule) has failed to take meaningful steps towards resolving the conflict and rehabilitating those affected.
The outfits further imposed a one-year ban on four major drama troupes of Manipur that performed at the festival, accusing them of going against “the wishes of the people.”The December 10 deadline by the militant outfits has added a new layer of tension in the state which is still grappling with a prolonged crisis and the unresolved plight of thousands of displaced people.
