Strike Casts Shadow Over Manipur's Sangai Festival

In the heart of Imphal Valley, a 24-hour bandh has cast a cloud over the much-anticipated Sangai tourism festival, putting the spotlight on the state’s enduring ethnic strife. The strike, called by the Kangleipak Communist Party (MC Progressive), came into effect from midnight Wednesday, leaving several markets, business establishments, and educational institutes shuttered across the districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur. According to The Times of India, only a sparse number of vehicles were seen navigating the streets, heightening the solemn atmosphere that lingered over the city.

A Resounding Boycott Amidst Celebration

While security has been tightened across Imphal, especially at the main festival venue of Hapta Kangjeibung, the tension is palpable. Internally displaced people (IDPs) and several civil society organizations have joined the boycott, arguing that the wounds from past ethnic violence remain too raw to celebrate just yet. Despite assurances from the government that this festival is essential for the economic revival, there is a shared feeling that the timing might not be apt.

Government’s Balancing Act

Balancing relief and rehabilitation with economic ambitions, the Manipur government urges participation, emphasizing the festival’s role in fostering trade, investment, and providing critical market linkages for local artisans and entrepreneurs. Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel stated, “While the relief and rehabilitation of IDPs remain paramount, the Sangai festival helps in boosting trade and investment.”

A Time of Reflection and Decision

The Sangai festival, scheduled from November 21, emerges from a two-year hiatus forced by the ethnic violence that shook Manipur. The government hopes this year’s festival can become a beacon of tourism and local enterprise, even as opposition to it underscores the broader societal rifts yet to heal.

Embracing the Future With Tender Caution

Even amidst the clouds of protest, in the hearts of many lies the hope that festivals like Sangai can become a bridge towards peace—a celebration not only of culture but of newfound harmony. For now, the streets of Imphal whisper stories of resilience, waiting to welcome laughter and life back in their corridors.