Imphal: Hundreds of people displaced by the ethnic violence in Manipur staged a protest near the Raj Bhavan on Sunday, demanding that the government allow them to return to their homes, police said.
The demonstrators — residents originally from Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Imphal West and Imphal East — have been living in relief camps since violence erupted in May 2023.
They marched towards the Raj Bhavan raising slogans against the ongoing Sangai Festival, arguing that the government was promoting tourism while ignoring their plight.
Carrying placards reading “Displaced lives matter”, “Boycott Sangai Festival”, “Rights first, tourism later”, and “Ensure our fundamental rights”, the protesters were stopped by security forces near Kangla Gate, around 200 metres from the Raj Bhavan.
They later moved towards the Uripok area in Imphal West.
“The displaced people gathered here today out of mounting frustration. The Sangai Festival is being held to claim normalcy while our suffering continues,” said Irom Abung Meitei, a displaced resident from Churachandpur.
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He warned that protesters may not return to relief camps and would intensify their agitation.
Since the festival began on November 21, internally displaced persons have clashed with security forces several times, insisting they should be allowed to go back if the government maintains that normalcy has returned.
More than 260 people have been killed and thousands displaced in the ethnic conflict between Meitei groups in the Imphal Valley and Kuki communities in the hill districts since May 2023.
