Archive · 1 Dec 2025
Manipur IDPs Protest Festival Amid Displacement
People who had to leave their homes because of fighting in Manipur are very upset.
They are living in temporary camps and want to go back to their villages.
But they say groups with guns are stopping them, even though the government says it's safe.
The people protesting also don't like that the government is having a big festival while they still don't have homes.
They had a big protest in the capital city, Imphal, and even though the police tried to control the crowd, many people joined.
The government says the festival is important for tourism and showing the state's culture.
The fighting started last year between two groups, the Meitei and the Kuki, and many people have been hurt or had to leave their homes.
The government and the protesters have different ideas about what should happen next.
Hundreds of IDPs in Manipur protested in Imphal demanding safe passage to return to their abandoned villages.
IDPs claim they are blocked by insurgent groups despite government claims of normalcy.
Protesters criticized the government for holding the Sangai Festival while thousands remain homeless.
The protest grew from a sit-in to a massive rally, with security forces diverting the crowd away from the governor's home and using tear gas and lathi-charge to disperse crowds.
COCOMI held a public meeting to address the neglect of IDPs' plight and demand prioritization of safe return over government events.
- Who
- Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the Manipur government
- What
- Protests demanding safe return home and the Sangai Tourism Festival
- When
- November 30, 2025 (closing ceremony of the festival)
- Where
- Imphal, Manipur, India
- Why
- IDPs feel blocked from returning home by insurgent groups and are frustrated with the government's prioritization of the Sangai Festival over their plight
IDPs and Protesters
Government
Festival Timing
IDPs and Protesters
The government should not hold the Sangai Festival while thousands remain displaced and unable to return home safely.
Government
The festival is a strategic effort to promote tourism and showcase cultural unity, despite ongoing challenges.
Safe Return
IDPs and Protesters
IDPs demand immediate safe passage to return to their villages, claiming they are blocked by insurgent groups.
Government
The government asserts that normalcy is being restored and that the festival is a sign of progress.
Protest Response
IDPs and Protesters
Protesters feel their concerns are ignored, and their demands for safe return are not prioritized.
Government
Security forces diverted the protest to maintain order, and the government continues to focus on state events.
- Location
- Imphal, Manipur, India
- Protesters
- Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Churachandpur, Moreh, Ikou, Dolaithabi, and Torbung
- Demands
- Safe passage to return home
- Government Response
- Security forces diverted the rally away from the governor's home and used tear gas and lathi-charge to disperse crowds.
- Ethnic Violence
- Began in May 2023 between Meitei and Kuki communities
- Casualties
- Over 260 deaths and nearly 50,000 displaced
- Government Event
- Sangai Festival held amid ongoing displacement
- Protest Outcome
- Public meeting held by COCOMI to address IDP concerns
- Festival Duration
- November 21 to 30, 2025
- Festival Theme
- Festival of Oneness
