Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL) has urged the Manipur government to reconsider organising the Sangai Festival in the name of promoting tourism, citing the prevailing situation in the state.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Ng. Prabhabati, AMKIL said thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) were still living in relief camps after more than three years of ongoing violence. It also pointed out that the existing buffer zones continued to restrict movement between communities, while armed clashes between Naga and Kuki groups were still being reported.
Questioning the timing of the festival, AMKIL appealed to those planning to set up stalls, as well as tent house operators, artists, singers and sound service providers, to stay away from the event.
The organisation said the government should prioritise the resettlement of IDPs and the reopening of highways to ensure free movement for all citizens before proceeding with the festival.
AMKIL maintained that organising a tourism festival while thousands of people remained displaced and movement continued to be restricted would overlook the unresolved crisis confronting Manipur.
The organisation also announced its support for all forms of agitation initiated by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI).