The influential Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has reiterated its boycott call against Sangai Festival and said there will be street demonstrations with the slogan “Let’s Not Participate in Sangai Festival 2025” until November 30, the concluding day of the tourism and cultural extravaganza.
In a statement signed by convener Khuraijam Athouba, the apex body urged citizens to continue torch rallies and street demonstrations.
It maintained that many citizens were voluntarily distancing themselves from the event, calling it a “collective moral stand".
The COCOMI further asserted that “real normalcy lies in restoring people’s dignity, not in glitter and fireworks".
In a significant development, Wangkhei AC MLA Thangjam Arunkumar of BJP extended solidarity with the protesters.
Addressing a public function in his constituency, he said, “Being a people’s representative, I am with you.
I will always stand by the people.” He termed the voice of IDPs as legitimate and valid, adding that organizing the festival at the expense of displaced families was “uncalled for.”
The legislator also appealed to all sections of society to refrain from hate speeches and communal enmity on social media, even as protests against the festival continued across valley districts.
Arunkumar had won the 2022 election on JD-U ticket but in September that year he and four other JD-U MLAs joined BJP.
The conglomerate of several organisations has condemned two 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.
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.
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