Internally Displaced People are demanding to return home as government’s ‘normalcy’ claim faces anger and low turnout at Sangai festival
Unrest continues in Manipur, as hundreds of displaced people on Sunday (November 30) staged a protest near the Raj Bhavan in Imphal, demanding they be allowed to return to their homes, said the police.
The internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been raising slogans against the ongoing Sangai tourism festival, which they believe is an attempt by the government to show that ‘normalcy’ has returned to the strife-torn state.
The protestors are raising the demand that if ‘normalcy’ has returned to the state then why are they still living in relief camps and not able to return to their homes? Since the Sangai Festival began on November 21, the IDPs have clashed multiple times with the security forces, as they demand to return to their homes.
The displaced people, who are from Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Imphal West, and Imphal East districts, have been staying at different relief camps in Imphal after ethnic violence broke out in May 2023.
Protestors stopped
During the protest near Raj Bhavan today, the IDPs held placards that read, “Displaced lives matter”, “people boycott Sangai festival”, “rights first tourism later” and “ensure our fundamental rights”. However, the protestors were stopped by security forces near the Kangla Gate, about 200 metres from the Raj Bhavan, the police said.
The demonstrators could not advance further towards the Raj Bhavan and later took a rally towards Uripok area in Imphal West district.
Plight of displaced people
Talking about the protest, Irom Abung Meitei, a displaced person from Churachandpur district, told reporters, “The displaced people have gathered here today to stage a protest due to mounting frustration towards the government. The Sangai festival is being held by claiming normalcy while ignoring the plights of the displaced persons.”
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