IMPHAL, Nov 5: The Farmers’ Wing of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has strongly opposed the state government’s decision to organize the upcoming Sangai Festival, citing the ongoing humanitarian and economic crisis in Manipur.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, COCOMI Farmers’ Wing Convenor A.B. Singh cautioned that the current situation in the state is “not conducive for celebrations,” as thousands of people remain displaced and continue to live in relief camps nearly three years into the conflict. He said that it would be “insensitive” for the government to hold a festival of such scale when many citizens are still struggling to rebuild their lives.
The statement highlighted that large tracts of paddy fields in foothill and peripheral areas have remained uncultivated since the outbreak of the crisis, resulting in severe economic hardship for farmers. “For three consecutive years, farmlands have gone to waste, pushing the agrarian community into deeper distress,” Singh said.
The farmers’ body also noted that movement along national highways continues to be restricted, and people still face challenges traveling outside the state for business or medical treatment.
Reiterating its stand, COCOMI’s Farmers’ Wing asserted that organizing the Sangai Festival amid widespread displacement, livelihood loss, and social instability would be “inappropriate and unacceptable,” and urged the government to instead prioritize relief and rehabilitation measures for the affected population.
