Sangai Festival sparks public outrage in Thoubal, Pallel
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, November 21 2025: Widespread resentment erupted across Thoubal district and Pallel Bazar today as various local bodies and women's groups staged sit-in protests opposing the Government's decision to proceed with the Sangai Festival despite the continuing crisis and the unresolved plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs) .

At Thoubal, members of the Kshetri Leikai Apunba Meira Paibi Lup, along with local residents, staged a sit-in protest today at Kshetri Leikai Thoubal against the Government's plan to hold the festival.

Speaking at the protest site, Lup secretary Irom Jamini criticised the Government's move, stating that prioritising a festival over the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) is deeply unfortunate.

She lamented that thousands are still languishing in relief camps, with many even having lost their lives to hardship and despair.

She said that the Government's proposal to spend crores of rupees on the festival instead of addressing the plight of IDPs shows misplaced priorities.

She urged authorities to prioritise on meeting the urgent needs of displaced families before holding any celebratory events.

The Meitei Community Joint Coordinating Committee (MCJCC), an umbrella body of 18 clubs from Kiyam, Kiyam Siphai, Haokha, and Thoubal Khunou, along with its Women's Wing also staged a protest today at Siphai Babu Bazar opposing the festival.

MCJCC Women's Wing secretary Pebam Indirani, who participated in the sit-in, said the Governments insistence on holding the festival at this juncture is ill-timed.

She recalled that ever since the violence erupted on May 3, 2023, thousands of people have been suffering in relief camps, many having lost their lives due to prolonged hardship.

She emphasised that while the people of Manipur deeply value the State's culture and traditions, festivals should only be held once internally displaced persons (IDPs) are safely resettled, free movement is restored, and normalcy returns.

Only then, she added, people from all communities would wholeheartedly support such celebrations.

A similar protest was also held today at Yairipok Bamol Leikai, organised by the Bamol Leikai Youth Club (BYCY), Yairipok and local Meira Paibis in front of the club gate.

During the protest, protesters reiterated demands such as the boycott of the Sangai Festival, restoration of free movement along highways, and prioritisation of safe resettlement of thousands of IDPs before organising any celebratory events.

Meanwhile residents of Pallel area along with the Pallel Meira Paibi Apunba Lup halted daily activities and shut down Pallel Keithel today as they staged a protest demonstration against the Government's decision to hold the Sangai Festival 2025 amid the ongoing crisis in the State.

Speaking at the protest, Secretary Sarangthem Bomi expressed deep concern over the decision to proceed with the festival at a time when thousands of people remain homeless and continue to suffer in relief camps since the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023.Condemning the Government's move, Bomi stated that instead of prioritising the resettlement of IDPs in their original homes, resources are being directed toward organising a festival.

She noted that the public of Pallel stands firmly against the decision.

During the protest, demonstrators held placards reiterating demands such as the boycott of the Sangai Festival, restoration of free movement along highways, and the resolution of the State's ongoing crisis before any celebratory events are organised.

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