Internally displaced persons (IDPs) from various relief camps addressed the media at the Alternative Housing Complex, Langol Game Village in Imphal West, announcing that they will boycott the upcoming Sangai Festival, scheduled to begin on 21 November.
The press conference was attended by IDP representatives from multiple relief camps, including Churachandpur (CCpur), Moreh, Kangpokpi, Torbung, Bangla, Ekou, Sadu, Yengkhuman, Mairenpat, Saikul, Gwaltabi, and Itham Moirangpurel.
During the briefing, the IDPs stated that both previous and current governments had repeatedly assured displaced families that they would be rehabilitated before the festive season, but none of the assurances have materialised on the ground. They expressed disappointment that despite receiving “hopes and promises,” no concrete steps had been taken to facilitate their return to their original homes.
They appealed to the people of Manipur to understand the sentiments of the displaced families, emphasizing that organizing a major festival holds little meaning while thousands remain in relief camps. The priority, they said, should be restoring peace and enabling IDPs to rebuild their lives.
As part of the boycott, the IDPs announced that they would hold sit-in protests in their respective relief camps on 20 November. They questioned the purpose of showcasing peace through the Sangai Festival when their lives “have not yet returned to normal,” adding that they would support the festival wholeheartedly once meaningful rehabilitation takes place.
They also recalled earlier assurances from authorities that displaced families would be resettled before the winter season, but noted that “nothing has changed on the ground.”
