Imphal (Manipur) [India], November 22 (HBTV): Following a clash between the Manipur Police, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and members of COCOMI (Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity) who attempted to boycott the Sangai Festival, the police said that the law-and-order situation in the state is now ‘normal’.
According to a press note issued by the Manipur Police on Friday, adequate security measures have been taken to ensure the successful and smooth conduct of the event. The force noted that the overall law-and-order situation in the last 24 hours remained normal.
The state-level Sangai Festival 2025 officially commenced today at the Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre in Imphal, with the Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, inaugurating the 10-day celebration. Senior government officials, including the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, along with other elected leaders, attended the opening ceremony, which featured cultural performances showcasing the state’s rich heritage.
The Manipur Police also appealed to the public for cooperation as they carry out their duties.
The clash broke out as internally displaced persons demanded rehabilitation amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the state, while COCOMI attempted to boycott the Sangai Festival, an annual cultural and tourism event that highlights Manipur’s art, culture, food, and traditions through cultural performances, traditional games, and local cuisine.
According to the police, security forces continue to conduct search operations and area domination in fringe and vulnerable areas across districts. Intelligence-based combing, cordon and search operations are being carried out extensively to apprehend those involved in extortion and criminal activities.
The clashes occurred against the backdrop of the ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which began in 2023, resulting in the deaths of around 260 people and the displacement of thousands. (ANI)