Security has been tightened along the 80-km stretch between Imphal and Ukhrul in Manipur ahead of the five-day Shirui Lily festival, scheduled to begin on 20 May. The move comes amid reported threats from certain Kuki organisations to the Meitei community planning to attend the state-level event, police said on Monday.
The festival, which honours the rare and endangered Shirui Lily, the state flower of Manipur, is held annually in the Tangkhul Naga-majority Ukhrul district, known for its picturesque hills and diverse flora. The flower, found only in the Shirui Hills, draws tourists and nature enthusiasts from across the country.
A senior police officer confirmed that extensive vehicle checks and patrols have been initiated along the Imphal-Ukhrul road to ensure the safety of attendees. “Adequate security arrangements have also been made between Yaingangpokpi and Litan via Mahadev, where there are several Kuki villages,” he said.
Both central and state security forces have been deployed to the region, with additional reinforcements on standby to be mobilised during the festival, which will run until 24 May. The officer added that tests have been conducted to assess the range of wireless communication in the hilly terrain to ensure rapid response in the event of an emergency.
Several officials from the Tourism Department and other state agencies have already reached the festival venues to oversee preparations, while volunteers from the Tangkhul Naga community are assisting security forces to ensure the safety of visitors.
The Manipur Police on Sunday said that threats to Meitei community members intending to attend the festival are being taken seriously and addressed promptly. "Precautionary measures are in place to ensure the security of the movement of people attending the Shirui festival," the police said in a statement.
Also read: Manipur's floral emblems face extinction threat
Background of tensions
Ethnic tensions have simmered in Manipur since violent clashes erupted in May 2023 between the Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo communities, who dominate the state’s hilly regions. The violence has claimed over 260 lives and displaced thousands, creating a highly volatile environment.
In response to the unrest, the central government imposed President’s Rule in Manipur on 13 February this year, following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. The state assembly, which has a tenure until 2027, remains under suspended animation.
Shirui Lily festival
The Shirui Lily Festival is an annual celebration in Manipur, held in honour of the rare and beautiful Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae), the state flower of Manipur, which is found only in the mist-laden hills of Ukhrul district.
The festival, first organised in 2017, showcases the vibrant culture, traditions, and natural beauty of the Tangkhul Naga tribe. It features traditional music, dance, indigenous crafts, local cuisine, and adventure activities like rock climbing and trekking.
The event also promotes eco-tourism and conservation efforts aimed at protecting the endangered lily species, which blooms between May and June each year, drawing botanists, nature lovers, and tourists from across the globe to witness its delicate, bell-shaped blossoms.
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