COCOMI backs IDPs' stand on Sangai Fest
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 31 2025: The COCOMI has expressed support to the appeal made by IDPs not to hold Manipur Sangai Festival this year and their stand that they would boycott the festival if it is held.

Speaking to media persons at their Lamphelpat office today, COCOMI coconvenor Yumkhaibam Surjitkumar Khuman said they have minutely studied the IDPs' stand on holding Manipur Sangai Festival.

On account of the violent crisis which erupted on May 3, 2023, more than 60,000 people have been living in relief camps with the hope that one day they will be able to go back to their homes and lead a peaceful life.

Meanwhile, there have been several incidents of some IDPs taking their own lives or suffering from depression because of the failure of the Government to keep its own words, Surjitkumar said.

Most of the IDPs have been hoping they will be resettled at their homes by December this year.

IDPs from Moreh, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Motbung too have been hoping that their resettlement process would be initiated after December, he said.

Forgetting all its promises, the Government seems to be pursuing an agenda of creating an image before the whole world that peace has returned in Manipur, Suijitkumar said.

He said that there is no harm in holding Sangai Festival if a solution is worked out after resuming free movement on National Highways and all the IDPs have been resettled at their homes.

The Government has aggrieved the IDPs by turning its attention to the Sangai Festival while sidelining all other priorities like resettlement and free movement, Surjitkumar said.

The COCOMI sees the stand of IDPs regarding Manipur Sangai Festival 2025 as justified.

If the Government browbeats its way and holds the Sangai Festival somehow, COCOMI will boycott the festival with all the people, the co-convenor said.

He said that there are many people who are still mourning the cold-blooded butcher of innocent women and children including a sixmonth old baby from Jakuradhor, Jiribam.

The Government must know the people's sentiment and abort its plan to hold Manipur Sangai Festival this year, the co-convenor said.

He urged the Government to, instead, focus on fulfilling its promises including resettlement of IDPs by December this year.

He also pointed out that Moreh, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur etc are all integral parts of Manipur.

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