Governor talks Sangai Fest with MLAs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 17 2025: In a bid to organise the Manipur Sangai Festival successfully amid stiff opposition, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla held a meeting with former Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Legislative Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata and some former BJP Ministers at the Raj Bhavan today.

The former Ministers who were present in the meeting included Thongam Biswajit, Yumnam Khemchand, Konthoujam Govindas, Dr Sapam Ranjan, Thounaojam Basanta Kumar and Leishangthem Susindro.

The meeting lasted about one and half hours.

The MLAs didn't respond to queries of media persons when enquired about the meeting at the Raj Bhavan gate afterward.

Governor talks Sangai Fest with MLAs

Some of the MLAs, whom this paper talked to, however said the meeting with the Governor revolved around the Manipur Sangai Festival, scheduled to be organised from November 21 to 30.During the meeting, the MLAs said the Governor urged them to assist in organising the festival successfully.

Some of the MLAs expressed concerns and informed the Governor that they would stay away from the festival this year, said the MLAs.

The Governor also urged the MLAs to talk to civil society organisations opposing the festival, and bring them onboard for successful conduct of the festival.

In this regard, the MLAs urged the Governor to hold meetings with the CSOs including Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) and other stakeholders to win their confidence, said the MLAs.

It may be mentioned that many civil bodies including the COCOMI and internally displaced persons have expressed opposition and urged the Government to cancel the festival this year.

During the meeting, the MLAs sought the attention of the Governor to the grievances and plight of the internally displaced persons, particularly concerning the rate of aid for reconstruction of houses, said the MLAs.

Notably, the current administration had recently reduced and fixed Rs 3 lakh as reconstruction aid per house for IDPs whose houses were destroyed, or burnt during the conflict.

This reduction in the aid had angered the IDPs.

The Government before President's Rule had fixed aid of Rs 10 lakh for pucca house, Rs 7 lakh for semi-pucca house and Rs 5 lakh for kutcha house.

The MLAs, during the meeting, urged the Governor to reinstate the rates fixed by the previous Government.

On the report that a musical band has been engaged at the rate of Rs 3 crore, the Governor clarified that this is not for one band but for all bands.