Residents of Thangapat Mapal in Imphal East held a noisy roadside demonstration today, protesting the PR Government’s move to host the traditional Hiyang Tanaba (boat race) at Thangapat as part of the Sangai Festival 2025.
Demonstrators, holding placards and chanting slogans, declared that the lake cannot be turned into a celebration venue while the state continues to face a grave humanitarian crisis.
The protesters reiterated their solidarity with the ongoing boycott of the festival, accusing the authorities of prioritising publicity and entertainment over the urgent needs of displaced families.
They pointed out that thousands of citizens, including women, children, and the elderly, continue to live in camps and temporary shelters for over two years since the conflict began.
