Imphal: Security forces fired tear gas and used batons to disperse a crowd of protesters who attempted to march towards the main venue of the Sangai Festival in Imphal on Thursday, officials said.
The demonstrators, led by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), opposed the state government’s decision to hold the annual tourism festival while thousands remain displaced by the ethnic violence that erupted in May 2023.
They demanded that the government prioritise resolving the ongoing conflict and rehabilitating internally displaced persons before organising any public celebrations.
Large groups of protesters gathered at Konung Mamang, close to the festival site, and moved towards the venue despite repeated warnings from security personnel to withdraw or hold a peaceful demonstration.
As the crowd swelled and attempted to break through barricades, security forces were overwhelmed and responded with multiple rounds of tear gas.
Another confrontation took place near Maharaja Bodhchandra College, where police and demonstrators — including women participants — clashed as protesters tried to advance by removing barriers.
A baton charge was carried out to push them back.
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The Sangai Festival, suspended for the past two years due to Meitei–Kuki-Zo clashes, is scheduled to run from November 21 to 30.
The state government has urged the public to take part in the event, arguing that it will help spur economic activity.
“Relief and rehabilitation of internally displaced persons remains the government’s top priority, but the festival is also crucial for economic acceleration and providing market linkages for local artisans, entrepreneurs and farmers,” Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel said earlier this week.
A 24-hour bandh called by a proscribed outfit opposing the festival had already disrupted normal life in parts of the Imphal valley on Wednesday.
