three-militants-held-in-manipur-over-sangai-festival-bomb-threat

Security agencies in Manipur have detained three militants who, police say, were linked to a social media video warning of bomb attacks on the Sangai festival, an event already shadowed by sustained protests from displaced communities who insist celebrations cannot proceed while thousands remain uprooted by last year’s ethnic unrest.

 

For weeks, civil society groups, relief camp residents and several student bodies have held marches, sit-ins and silent rallies across Imphal and neighbouring districts, questioning the state’s decision to host the 10-day tourism festival amid continuing tensions. Demonstrators have accused the authorities of focusing on “festivity over rehabilitation”, blocking festival vehicles, burning effigies and staging protest lines outside venues.

 

Police said a coordinated operation by Manipur Police and Assam Rifles on Wednesday led to the arrest of three active cadres of the proscribed KCP (MFL), including a woman, from Imphal East, Imphal West and Thoubal districts. According to police, the arrests followed a Facebook video posted on 21 November by a user who issued threats to “bomb the festival”, prompting immediate surveillance and tracking efforts.

 

Also read: Sangai Festival opens under siege of protests in Manipur

 

A police officer said, “The action came following a video posted on Facebook by a user on November 21, which contained threats to bomb the festival being held from November 21 to November 30.”

The officer added that investigations are continuing to identify other individuals associated with the threat.

 

The Sangai festival, one of Manipur’s flagship tourism showcases, has drawn mixed responses this year as displaced persons’ bodies and several civil organisations have announced a boycott, citing what they describe as unresolved humanitarian issues. Many residents still remain in relief camps after violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups broke out in May 2023, leaving more than 260 people dead and thousands homeless.

 

Officials said security around the festival venues has been reinforced, with additional patrols, checkpoints and surveillance being maintained in Imphal and adjoining districts.

 

Further investigation is underway, police said.