Sangai Festival boycott has foreign exhibitors worried, many support COCOMI's call
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 23 2019: Organizing Sangai Festival by the State Tourism Department amidst Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) and people of the State boycotting the festival has worried the foreign exhibitors.

With uncertainty looming large in their minds, foreign exhibitors have sought cooperation of the public with the State in putting the Sangai Festival in order.

It may be noted that COCOMI and sections of people of the State had boycotted the festival in the light of the concluding Naga peace talk.

Sangai Festival boycott has foreign exhibitors worried, many support COCOMI's call

Several Shumang Leela organisations and films related organisations had said that they would not participate in the festival.

The State Government, however has been preparing for the festival with airtight security at the Hapta Kangjeibung and other venues.

The Chief Minister had appealed the people and COCOMI to remain calm until the Central Government invites all stakeholders for consultation to hammer out an amicable solution to Naga issue.

While speaking to reporters, Eslam Kamal, an exhibitor from Egypt appealed the people in the State to participate in the Sangai Festival and allow the foreign exhibitors to open their stalls at the venues.

He has been participating in Sangai festival for the last four years.

Around 53 foreign exhibitors have confirmed to take part in the festival.

Meanwhile, supporting the stand of COCOMI, Naharol Sintha Kanglup and Wangkhei Keithel Asangbi Nupi Marup have announced that they will not extend any co-operation to the Manipur Sangai Festival.

Speaking to media persons at Wangkhei Asangbi community hall today, Heisnam Sulekchana (general secretary of Wangkhei Keithel Asangbi Nupi Marup) said that the State has been in turmoil with tension brought by the Naga peace talks and possible re-introduction of the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in the Parliament.

However, the State Government, despite demand from various CSOs and the general public, has not done anything to convene a Special State Assembly Session.

As such, Naharol Sintha Kanglup and Wangkhei Keithel Asangbi Nupi Marup have jointly decided to stay away from this year's Manipur Sangai Festival, she added.

She further said that they will not extend any help or cooperation to the Government regarding the festival nor allow any of the areas to be utilized as parking spaces for the vehicles coming for the festival.

Further warning that the two associations will even impose a ban on vehicles destined for the festival from passing the area, she appealed the people to stay away from the festival as the present condition of the State does not warrant for such festival to be held.

Police tighten security measures
Imphal West district police has intensified security measures to ensure smooth conduct of the Manipur Sangai Festival by carrying out cordon and house to house search operation in different parts of the district today morning.

Search operations were conducted at Ngari Galli stretch, Bora Gali and Polo Ground parking simultaneously and during the search, more than 200 individuals were verified by the police team.

16 individuals were later handed over to City PS for further verification.

The same Imphal West commando team further conducted cordon and search of more than 80 houses at Lamboi Khongnangkhong, nearby Manipur Trade and Expo Centre, which is one of the venues of the festival.