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Imphal, Nov 21 (IANS) Amid protests and tension, the 10-day Sangai Tourism Festival began on Friday at Hapta Kangjibung in Manipur capital Imphal.
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, a police official said.
The official said the clashes broke out when security forces stopped protesters, including many displaced people, who were marching towards the festival site.
He said the protesters pelted stones at the forces, forcing the security personnel to fire several rounds of tear gas shells.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla inaugurated the festival in a simple style.
The Manipur Coordination Committee on Integrity (COCOMI), an umbrella body of several Meitei civil society organizations in Manipur, had earlier announced a work strike and urged people to boycott the festival and hold protests on Friday (November 21).
COCOMI convener Khuraizam Athouba had said that the festival “is not for the people, but for the vested interest of some individuals who can manage to make financial gains for organizing the festival”.
The annual Sangai Festival was not held in 2023 and 2024 as the 10-day carnival was suspended for two years in the wake of ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. The general public did not reach the festival site in Hapta Kangjibung, while government employees and security personnel were in large numbers among the spectators.
Former ministers and BJP MLAs Vishwajit Singh and Basant Kumar Singh were seen at the venue.
Most of the stalls at the festival grounds were not open, and only a few government-run stalls were partially functioning.
Civil society organizations (CSOs), COCOMI, several valley-based groups and a large number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) have protested the decision to hold the event, while thousands of people remain in relief camps and ethnic tensions continue.
COCOMI, other organizations and IDPs are demanding that, before holding the Sangai Festival, the state government should first resolve the ongoing conflict in the state and rehabilitate people who were internally displaced from their villages due to the ethnic violence that broke out in May 2023.
Hundreds of violence-hit IDPs living in relief camps in Bishnupur district tried to march towards their ancestral homes and native villages in neighboring Churachandpur district on Friday evening, prompting security forces to fire tear gas to disperse the prisoners.
The IDPs demanded that they be allowed to return to their homes in Churachandpur district, where tribals are in majority. However, security forces stopped the IDPs near Phougakchao Ikhai in Bishnupur district, a few kilometers from Churachandpur district.
Security forces erected barricades, barbed wire and parked vehicles in the middle of roads to prevent further movement of IDPs.
The Manipur government on Tuesday (November 18) appealed to all citizens, especially IDPs affected by ethnic violence, and all stakeholders to extend full cooperation and support to ensure the grand success of the ‘Sangai Tourism Festival’.
Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goyal in an appeal said that the Sangai Mahotsav to be held from November 21 to 30 is not just an event; This is “a collective affirmation of our commitment to move forward together and hence, your full support and participation will definitely help the state move forward”.
He had said that the government reiterates that economic revival, promotion of tourism, youth empowerment and community harmony are important pillars to bring Manipur back on the sustainable path of development.
Sangai Mahotsav aims to realize these goals, he said, which will act as a catalyst for new hope, opportunity, economic growth and unity. The State Government fully recognizes the intense hardship and suffering endured by civilians, especially IDPs.
He said that currently, Rs 18 crore per month is being spent on providing monetary assistance to IDPs and managing relief camps across the state.
According to the Chief Secretary, Rs 523 crore has been provided by the Government of India under the special relief package, out of which Rs 180 crore has been earmarked for house restoration assistance to displaced families and Rs 250 crore for providing public assets such as health centres, community halls, water supply, schools etc. at the places where the IDPs will be resettled or rehabilitated.
He had said that while the relief and rehabilitation of IDPs is a top priority for the state government, organizing the Sangai Mahotsav is also important for boosting economic growth and providing market connectivity to local artisans, entrepreneurs, craftsmen and farmers, promoting trade and investment.
Goyal said that the government is taking forward major developmental projects to create jobs and increase ease of living.
–IANS
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