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Imphal, Nov 25 (IANS) Manipur Coordination Committee on Integrity (COCOMI), an umbrella body of several Meitei civil society organisations, on Tuesday once again criticized the state government for organizing the Sangai Tourism Festival without resolving the ongoing ethnic crisis and ensuring rehabilitation of the displaced people.
Ahead of the 10-day Sangai Tourism Festival that began at Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal on November 21, various groups of internally displaced people (IDPs) and several civil society organizations (CSOs), including COCOMI, had called for a strike and appealed to the public to boycott the festival and hold protests.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla inaugurated the festival in a simple style. COCOMI convener, Information and Public Relations Committee Laikhuram Jayanta said in a statement that the state government went ahead with the inauguration by using force to suppress the wishes of the protesters and the people. The Meitei community body also termed two MLAs who attended the inauguration ceremony of the Sangai Tourism Festival on November 21 as ‘enemies of the people’ for attending the inauguration ceremony.
“On November 21, the opening day of the festival, people across the state had protested and argued that the current situation in Manipur was not suitable for such a celebration. Several people reportedly suffered injuries during the agitation,” the statement said.
On November 21, at least two police officers, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), were injured after clashes in Imphal East district over the festival, which the government is projecting as an effort to restore normalcy in the crisis-hit state.
According to a police official, the clashes broke out when security forces stopped protesters, including many displaced people, who were marching towards the festival site. He had said that the protesters pelted stones at the forces, due to which the security personnel had to release several rounds of tear gas shells.
On 24 November, at least three IDPs and two police personnel were injured when hundreds of IDPs living in relief camps clashed with security forces near Pukhao and Dolaithabi Dam in Imphal East district of Manipur while attempting to return to their native villages.
A police official said the clashes began when men and women from Ekou, Dolaithabi and Yangkhuman areas, who were currently living in relief camps, tried to move towards their original homes, but security forces stopped them from proceeding.
Forces resorted to lathi charge and tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries to three IDPs and two policemen.
A spokesperson for the IDPs said that since the state government is organizing the annual Sangai Tourism Festival from 21 to 30 November, it is considered that normalcy has been restored in their areas, and hence, they should be allowed to return home instead of staying in relief camps.
The Government of Manipur had appealed to all citizens, especially IDPs and stakeholders to extend full cooperation to ensure the success of the Sangai Mahotsav.
In an appeal, Chief Secretary Punit Kumar Goyal had said that the Mahotsav is a collective affirmation of commitment to move forward and full support and participation will help the state regain momentum.
He said that economic revival, promotion of tourism, youth empowerment and community harmony are necessary to bring Manipur back on the path of sustained development.
According to the Chief Secretary, the government recognizes the hardships endured by the displaced people and relief and rehabilitation remains the top priority. Goyal explained in detail about the allocation of funds aimed at the welfare of IDPs and enhancing livelihood opportunities for the affected population.
–IANS
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