The National Identity Protection Council (NIPCO) has described the government’s move to organize the upcoming Sangai Festival despite the current situation in Manipur as an act of insensitivity towards the suffering of the people. In a statement, NIPCO said that the people of the state have been enduring an unprecedented crisis for nearly three years, and the government’s insistence on celebrating the festival reflects a disconnect from ground realities.
The statement recalled that the festival, initially launched by the Tourism Department in 2008 as the Manipur Tourism Festival, was renamed Manipur Sangai Festival in 2010 to promote the state’s unique cultural identity and highlight the rare Sangai deer, Manipur’s state animal, found only in Keibul Lamjao. Except for 2020 and 2021, when it was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival has been held annually, drawing visitors from across the country.
However, NIPCO noted that the situation in Manipur has drastically changed since the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023. The state continues to reel under ethnic conflict, with thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) still taking shelter in relief camps. Farmlands, particularly along the foothills, remain uncultivated for three consecutive years, and free movement along national highways remains restricted due to blockades and unrest.
The council expressed concern that organizing a tourism festival under such conditions would not only be meaningless but would also disregard the ongoing hardship of the people. It questioned whether the government’s priority should be holding a festival or addressing the humanitarian crisis that has left families divided and livelihoods destroyed.
NIPCO also reminded that the United States government had issued a travel advisory on June 22, warning its citizens against visiting Manipur due to the prevailing unrest. Given this backdrop, the council argued, foreign tourists are unlikely to attend the event, and the state’s image as a conflict zone may further discourage visitors.
The organization further said that the government’s decision to go ahead with the festival—despite the continued displacement of thousands and ongoing restrictions on inter-community movement—shows a lack of empathy and understanding. The Tourism Department’s preparation for the festival, chaired by the Governor at Raj Bhavan on September 19, was described by NIPCO as a display of misplaced priorities.
The council warned that the Sangai Festival, instead of uniting people, could deepen the divide between communities. It reiterated that the state should first work towards rehabilitating displaced persons and restoring normalcy before thinking of celebrations.
NIPCO concluded by supporting the COCOMI’s stance to boycott the festival, calling it an inappropriate and insensitive move at a time when many families are still struggling to rebuild their lives amid the ongoing crisis.