Boycott Sangai Fest call grows louder
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 07 2026: The Kanglei Indigenous Martial Arts and Cultural Society (KIMACS) and Manipur Peace & Integrity (MAPI) Council have endorsed the decision of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) to boycott the Sangai Festival.

KIMACS

In a press note, KIMACS stated that holding the festival amid the prevailing situation in Manipur would be against the interests of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the general public.

The State Government may have its own reasons for planning to hold the festival, but the situation is not conducive, it said, adding that people are unable to move freely across the State till today.

KIMACS questioned whether the Government genuinely intends to promote the art and culture of Manipur by holding the festival or whether there is a hidden agenda behind it.

MAPI Council

The MAPI Council also questioned the rationale behind the Government's decision to organise the festival.

It said the Government's decision reflects its lack of concern for the people displaced by the crisis.

Apart from the displacement crisis, the Government is still unable to facilitate free movement across the State, while the issue of illegal immigrants remains unresolved, it added.

The MAPI Council said it would welcome the festival when the Government organises it after normalcy is restored in the State.

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