COCOMI Slams Government for Pushing ‘Anti-People’ Sangai Festival; Calls Mass Sit-In
Khuraijam Athouba, Convenor of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), has issued a strong public statement condemning the State administration’s decision to go ahead with the Sangai Festival 2025, calling it “anti-people” and “insensitive to the humanitarian crisis gripping Manipur.”
COCOMI, along with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and civil society members, staged a mass agitation against what it describes as the Governor-led administration’s unilateral push to organise the festival at Mapal Kangjeibung from 21 November.
Condemnation of Police Action
COCOMI denounced what it termed the “brutal and unprovoked actions”of security forces against peaceful protestors during today’s demonstration.
The committee highlighted that several demonstrators, including displaced persons and women, sustained injuries. It also condemned the “manhandling and brutal charging and arrest” of COCOMI IPR Convenor Laikhuram Jayenta, while stating that another volunteer, Shamurailatpam Devadutta, remained “untraceable till the release of this statement.”
COCOMI stated: “Such excessive and targeted use of force upon civil society leaders is a clear violation of democratic norms and fundamental civic rights.”
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‘Anti-People Festival’ Amid Ongoing Crisis
The organisation criticised the government’s decision to prioritise the festival while thousands remain displaced and unable to return to their homes.
COCOMI said: “What meaningful purpose does such a festival serve when the very people for whom it is intended are still unable to return home, move freely, or exercise their fundamental rights?”
It added that insisting on an extravagant cultural event “when the wounds of violence are still fresh” is “insensitive, misplaced, and against the wishes of the people.”
Also Read– AMMSO Calls Sangai Festival “Insensitive” as Thousands Remain Displaced https://ichelnewsnetwork.com/Ichel/ammso-calls-sangai-festival-insensitive-as-thousands-remain-displaced/
Demands Ahead of Any Celebration
The statement, also emphasised that before any festival is held, the State must:
- Restore fundamental rights and freedom of movement of all citizens
- Ensure the safe return of all IDPs to their homes
- Re-establish peace and normalcy across Manipur
- Stop all forms of coercion and suppression against civilian voices
COCOMI warned that ignoring these demands would make the administration “irrelevant to the needs and aspirations of the people.”
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Call for Mass Sit-In Demonstration on 21 November
COCOMI issued a public call for all citizens to participate in a mass sit-in demonstration on 21 November 2025.
The declaration includes two key resolutions:
“WE WILL NOT TAKE PART IN SANGAI FESTIVAL 2025”
“RESTORE OUR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS BEFORE SANGAI FESTIVAL”
COCOMI warns against the decision to hold Sangai Festival as “The people of Manipur will not allow anti-people decisions to be imposed upon them under any circumstance.”