3 min readGuwahatiDec 6, 2025 11:07 AM IST
First published on: Dec 6, 2025 at 08:07 AM IST
After insurgent groups issued threats and “bans” to performers who had participated in Manipur’s biggest tourism festival, the government has said that “no individual, group or organisation” has the authority to issue decrees or impose punishments.
The Manipur Sangai Festival was held from November 21 to 30 for the first time since the start of the ongoing conflict in the state. The festival took place amid protests by civil society groups and a section of people displaced by the conflict, who had called for a boycott of the event. They argued that the decision to hold the festival while the conflict remains unresolved and people remain displaced was “insensitive, misplaced and against the wishes of the people”.
On December 3, the G-5, a conglomerate of five proscribed valley-based insurgent groups, had announced a resolution against the artists, businesses and individuals who participated in the festival, demanding an apology from them. As part of this, it had also declared a “one-year performance ban” on four Sumang Leela — a traditional form of theatre — associations.
The Manipur Police announced the registration of five cases across the districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Kakching in connection with the threats. Police said they arrested three cadres of these groups by Friday night. “Investigations are underway to identify and take necessary action against those involved,” police said in a statement.
Reacting to the threats issued by the groups, Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel also issued a statement reacting to this threat, saying, “Any attempt to intimidate or endanger the safety and security of any citizen is an act against the state and its people.”
“The state reaffirms that no individual, group or organisation — whether proscribed or otherwise — has authority to issue decrees, impose punishments or restrict the lawful cultural, economic or artistic activities in Manipur. Any individual or organisation, without exception, found involved in issuing such threats or attempting to disturb the peaceful co-existence shall be prosecuted strictly in accordance with law,” the statement said.
Asking the public to report threats, extortion or “suspicious activity” to the police, the Chief Secretary issued an appeal to “stand united against unlawful elements and to cooperate in the initiatives of the state government towards maintaining peace, harmony and public order to bring back the state to the path of growth and development”.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla inaugurates the Sangai festival on Friday. (Photo: X/BiswajitThongam) 
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