UNC diktat tepid in Sangai Fest
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, November 22 2012: Although United Naga Council (UNC) has insisted that no Naga should take part in the Sangai Festival 2012, large number of Naga people are participating it, said Manipur Tourism Department on Thursday, while clarifying that arrangement for stalls of the festival is now almost complete.

Rajesh Kumar, Commissioner of Tourism Department stated this in the wake of the media reports that had criticized the laxity on the part of Manipur Tourism Department in managing stalls for the festival.

The Commissioner was briefing the media at Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal where the 10-day Sangai Festival is being organized.

People from various ethnic communities are actively taking part at the 10-day long festival.

Although the UNC has barred the Naga people from participating in the festival, even noted folk singer Rewben Mashangva and his son performed at the inaugural function of the festival yesterday.

Expressing confidence that more people will enjoy the Festival, Rajesh acknowledged the media reports which had said that arrangement for stalls has not yet been finished while informing that the arrangement should be done by Commerce and Industries Department and not by Tourism Department.

According to an official report from Commerce and Industries Department, about 3 percent out of the total 757 stalls is yet to be put in position, he said.

Manipur Police Department is taking up security arrangement round the clock for the festival, the Commissioner further informed.

The state PHED is supplying proper drinking water and the Health Directorate is also providing medical teams to meet any health related emergency situation, adding that fire tenders and fire fighters from Manipur Fire Service are also kept to control fire during the festival.

Comment