Imphal, Nov 21 (NationPress) Amidst rising protests and escalating tensions, the 10-day Sangai Tourism Festival officially commenced at Hapta Kangjeibung in the capital of Manipur on Friday. A police spokesperson reported that at least two police personnel, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), sustained injuries during a confrontation in the Imphal East district regarding the festival, which the government is promoting as a means to restore calm in the conflict-affected region.

The clashes erupted when security forces blocked demonstrators, including many displaced individuals, who were attempting to march to the festival venue, according to the official. Protesters threw stones at the security forces, prompting them to respond with multiple rounds of tear gas.

The festival was inaugurated in a subdued manner by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a coalition of various Meitei civil society organizations, had previously declared a cease-work strike and urged the public to boycott the festival while staging protests on Friday (November 21).

COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba criticized the festival as being “not intended for the public, but rather for the benefit of individuals who stand to gain financially from its organization.”

The annual Sangai Festival was canceled in 2023 and 2024 due to a two-year suspension amid ethnic strife between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. Attendance at the festival venue was minimal, with most participants being government employees and security personnel.

Former Minister and BJP MLAs Bishwajit Singh and Basanta Kumar Singh were present at the event.

Most of the stalls set up at the festival grounds remained closed, with only a handful of government-operated stalls partially functioning.

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), COCOMI, and numerous valley-based groups, along with a significant number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), have voiced opposition to the festival's continuation while thousands still reside in relief camps and ethnic tensions persist.

COCOMI and others are demanding that the state government prioritize resolving the ongoing conflict and rehabilitating those displaced from their homes due to the ethnic violence that erupted in May 2023 before proceeding with the Sangai Festival.

On Friday evening, numerous IDPs affected by violence attempted to march back to their ancestral homes in Churachandpur district, resulting in security forces deploying tear gas to disperse the crowds.

The IDPs insisted on their right to return to their homes in Churachandpur district, which is predominantly inhabited by tribal communities. However, they were halted by security forces near Phougakchao Ikhai in Bishnupur district, just a few kilometers from Churachandpur.

To prevent further movement of the IDPs, security forces established barricades, barbed wire, and parked vehicles on the roads.

On November 18, the Manipur government urged all citizens, particularly IDPs affected by ethnic violence, as well as all stakeholders, to fully cooperate and support the successful execution of the 'Sangai Tourism Festival'.

Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel emphasized that the Sangai Festival, scheduled from November 21 to 30, is not just a festival; it represents a collective commitment to progress, and full participation is crucial for the state’s advancement.

He reiterated that economic recovery, tourism promotion, youth empowerment, and community harmony are essential for steering Manipur towards sustained growth. The Sangai Festival aims to encapsulate these aspirations, serving as a catalyst for renewed hope, economic opportunity, and unity.

He acknowledged the significant hardships faced by the citizens, particularly the IDPs.

Currently, the government is allocating Rs 18 crore per month for monetary assistance to the IDPs and for managing relief camps statewide.

According to the Chief Secretary, Rs 523 crore has been sanctioned under the Special Relief Package by the Government of India, with Rs 180 crore designated for restoring homes for displaced families and Rs 250 crore for providing public infrastructure like health centers, community halls, water supply, and schools in areas where IDPs will be resettled.

He stated that while the relief and rehabilitation of IDPs is the government's top priority, the Sangai Festival plays a vital role in enhancing economic growth and offering market opportunities for local artisans, entrepreneurs, craftsmen, and farmers, thereby boosting trade and investments.

The government is concurrently advancing significant development projects to create employment and improve quality of life, Goel emphasized.