Protesters attempt to storm Sangai festival venue, police fire tear gas shells

Clashes broke out between security forces and demonstrators on Thursday after a large number of protesters attempted to storm the main venue of the annual Sangai tourism festival in Imphal officials saidThe security forces use batons and tear gas shells to disperse the mobThe protesters demanded that before holding any tourism festival the authorities first resolve the conflict in the state and arrange for the resettlement of the people who have been internally displaced because of the ethnic violence that began in May 2023The festival which had been suspended for two years because of the clashes between Meitei and KukiZo communities is scheduled to be held from November 21 to November 30The demonstrators led by members of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity COCOMI an umbrella body of several Meitei civil society organisations of Manipur gathered at Konung Mamang near the main festival site to protest holding of the festival and demanding it be stoppedThe protesters were asked by security forces to leave the premises or to protest peacefully the officials saidHowever as the agitators managed to proceed in large numbers towards the main venue security forces personnel were outnumbered and fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the agitatorsA scuffle also broke out between state forces and demonstrators including women near Maharaja Bodhchandra College also close to the venue as the protesters forcibly attempted to advance by removing security barricadesThe security personnel batoncharged the protesters to disperse themThe state government had appealed to people to participate in the festivalWhile the relief and rehabilitation of IDPs internally displaced persons is the top priority for the state government holding of Sangai festival is also important for economic acceleration and providing market linkages to local artisans entrepreneurs craftsmen and farmers boosting trade and investment Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel said on MondayA 24hour bandh called by a proscribed outfit opposing the festival partially affected normal life in Imphal valley districts on WednesdayThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever