G-5 cracks whip against participants of Sangai Fest
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 03 2025: G-5, a conglomerate of five proscribed outfits viz KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), and Koireng-led UNLF, has adopted a resolution to take disciplinary actions against "reactionary" artists, business enterprises, professio- nals, stall owners, and individuals who participated in the Sangai Festival 2025 .

The resolution was passed during a meeting held on November 28, according to a joint statement issued by the five outfits.

The group has imposed a one-year performance ban on four Sumang Kumhei parties-Sana Leibak Na-chom Artists' Association, Chumthang Creative Artists' Association, Kamakhya Sangeet Mandal and Sama-don Artists' Association.

The ban will be effective from December 5, 2025, to December 10, 2026 .

Additionally, G-5 has forbidden Manipur State Shumang Leela Council president Laishram Tomba and lifetime secretary Sougrakpam Hemanta alias Tolhan, from engaging in any Shumang Kumhei-related activities for three years, from December 10, 2025, to December 10, 2028, directing the two individuals to resign from their positions by December 10, 2025 .

Moreover, the outfits have also demanded that all "reactionary" artists, business enterprises, professio- nals, and individuals involved in organizing the Sangai Festival issue a public apology by December 10, 2025, for allegedly working against the interests of the people.

The outfits claimed that those involved in the Sangai Festival have not only worked against the interests of internally displaced people (IDPs) in particular, and the people of Manipur in general, but have also compromised the National pride and dignity of the people of Manipur, especially the Meeteis.

They stated that individuals who fail to comply with their directives will be regarded as enemies of the people of Manipur, and appropriate actions will be taken against them, expressing hope that these individuals would recognize their alleged mistakes and make the right decisions moving forward.

The group stated that the IDPs boycotted the Sangai Festival which was held from November 21 to 30 as the Government allegedly prioritized hosting the event over addressing the urgent needs of rehabilitation and resettlement for displaced people who have been living in relief camps for over two and a half years.

The outfits justified the IDPs' boycott of the festival, claiming that the President's Rule administration has failed to take any concrete action to resettle the displaced people despite assurances from the former Chief Secretary to both the IDPs and civil society organizations (CSOs) that resettlement would be carried out in three phases by December 2025 .

The group also stated that the PR administration reduced the daily financial assistance given to IDPs from Rs 100 to Rs 84, while neglecting their plight in terms of health and education.

Instead of addressing the suffering of the IDPs, the Government allocated a significant portion of funds towards hosting the festival, the group charged.

Claiming that the ethnic crisis in Manipur is still unresolved and the people are bearing the brunt of it, the outfits added that thousands of people whose houses were either burnt or flattened are still languishing in relief camps.

Moreover, the group stated that the Meeteis are still unable to travel freely along the National Highways, with their lives being comparable to living in a prison.

Alleging that hosting a tourism festival at a time when the people are divided along ethnic lines is meaningless as tourists prefer safe and secure places, the outfits reminded that the US Government issued a travel advisory on June 22, 2025, cautioning its citizens from travelling to Manipur.

It also mentioned that the Government of India reimposed the Protected Area Permit (PAP) in Manipur on December 17, 2024, requiring foreign Nationals to obtain approval from the Home Ministry to visit the State.

The group alleged that the Sangai Festival was hosted to create a false impression of normalcy in Manipur, claiming that the Government never intended to promote tourism through this year's festival.

The outfits accused the Government of trying to force the people of Manipur to live "normally" in an abnormal situation.

Saying that the G-5 extended moral support to the IDPs' boycott of the Sangai Festival, which was announced 22 days before the event on October 30, the outfits claimed that the Governor should have addressed the grievances of the IDPs.

They also claimed that the PR administration extended an invitation to the CSOs for talks regarding the festival just three days before it began.

The attitude of the Governor reflects how the people of Manipur are viewed as colonial subjects, it alleged.

The outfits went on to claim that this year's Sangai Festival was not a celebration, but a battle between the oppressed people of Manipur and the PR administration, which they alleged is as an agent of colonial India.

The group stated that artists are known as the conscience of society and the custodians of National identity as they are bound to stand with the oppressed and support those fighting for their rights.

However, the outfits alleged that some artists, unfortunately, sided with the oppressive colonial power for personal gain by participating in the Sangai Festival, thereby standing against the people of Manipur who are fighting for their democratic rights.They claimed that the artists of Manipur have been playing a crucial role in advancing the movement that began after Manipur was forcibly annexed by India but some artists broke this tradition for personal benefit for the first time in the history of Manipur.

Acknowledging the immense role being played by art and culture, and sports in Manipur society, they stated that Shumang Kumhei is an art form which is deeply rooted in Manipur's history.

However, Shumang Kumhei is losing its significance due to the leadership of the Manipur State Shumang Leela Council which the outfits accused of lacking ethics and treating the art form as a mere inherited property, using it for personal gain.

The group claimed that some artists sold the cultural value of Shumang Kumhei to the colonial masters during the Sangai Festival and threatened the Leela associations that did not listen to them.

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