Displaced Residents Protest Cultural Festival Amid Housing Crisis
As Manipur's prominent 10-day Sangai Festival concluded on Sunday, dozens of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from various relief camps staged a significant protest near the Raj Bhavan in Imphal. The demonstrators gathered at Kangla's Western Gate, just meters away from the Governor's residence, to voice their opposition to the festival and demand immediate resettlement to their original homes.
Ongoing Protests and Government Response
The displaced communities have been organizing various forms of protests since November 20, consistently insisting that they must be permitted to return to their original homes and villages. Their protests gained momentum as state authorities proceeded with the Sangai Festival despite their unresolved housing situation.
On Sunday, the demonstration saw dozens of IDPs chanting slogans and demanding that concerned authorities ensure their resettlement without further delays. The protest remained entirely peaceful, though authorities had deployed a large number of security forces at Kangla Fort in anticipation of potential incidents.
Festival Expenditure Fuels Discontent
The timing of the protest was particularly significant following Saturday's performance by British music band BLUE, marking their first appearance in Imphal as part of the festival celebrations. This international performance further angered the displaced communities, who viewed the substantial expenditure on festival entertainment as highlighting misplaced priorities while their resettlement needs remained unaddressed.
Speaking to media representatives during the protest, Irom Abung, an IDP from Churachandpur, expressed the community's frustration. "The authorities proceeded with the Sangai Festival without showing any concern for the internally displaced persons," he contended. Abung noted that while the government had announced plans to resettle IDPs from periphery villages by December, there has been no positive development in this regard so far.
Coordinated Action and December Deadline
The protestors organized a rally from Kangla Western Gate to Uripok, where they conducted a meeting with the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (Cocomi). This coordination indicates a more organized approach to their demands for resettlement.
Khuraijam Athouba, convenor of Cocomi, issued a clear statement regarding the government's commitments. "The Manipur authorities must resettle the IDPs as announced by the authorities within the end of December," he declared. Athouba further warned that "The IDPs and Cocomi along with Manipur people will start countdown along with protest to wait till the end of Dec for resettlement of IDPs."
The Sangai Festival, named after the state animal—the endangered brow-antlered deer Sangai—is primarily organized by the tourism department with the objective of promoting Manipur's tourism sector and showcasing its rich artistic and cultural heritage. However, this year's celebrations have been overshadowed by the pressing humanitarian concerns raised by the displaced communities.
As December approaches, all eyes remain on the state government to fulfill its resettlement promises and address the growing discontent among the internally displaced population of Manipur.
