KCP-MC boycotts Sangai Festival 2025, calls for Manipur bandh on Nov 19
The armed group Kangleipak Communist Party–Military Council (Progressive) (KCP-MC) has announced a full boycott of the forthcoming Sangai Festival 2025 — the major tourism and cultural festival in Manipur scheduled from November 21–30. They have also called for a 24-hour general strike (bandh) across the state on November 19, 2025. The group says the festival is inappropriate given the ongoing ethnic unrest, mass displacement and restrictions on free movement in the state. They further warned that if free movement along national highways is not ensured by December 3, they may impose a month-long bandh. The strike excludes essential services (media, medical, fire, water) but aims to send a strong message.
In a statement dated November 9, 2025, the KCP-MC (Progressive) announced it will not participatein the Sangai Festival and will mobilise the public to observe a statewide bandh on November 19.
The bandh is described as lasting 24-hours and will exempt essential services such as media, hospitals, water supply, fire services, and religious rituals.
The group further set a deadline: if the state administration fails to restore free movement for the Meitei community on national highways by December 3, 2025, they will consider extending the agitation into a month-long shutdown of the state.
The boycott follows the state’s announcement that the Sangai Festival will be held at Hapta Kangjeibung, Imphal from November 21 to 30.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who is calling the boycott and bandh?
The boycott and 24-hour bandh scheduled for November 19 are being called by the Kangleipak Communist Party–Military Council (Progressive) (KCP-MC).
Q2. Why are they opposing the Sangai Festival this year?
They the festival inappropriate amidst ongoing ethnic violence, displacement of many people, and restrictions on free movement of Meitei community along highways. They say the festival is being used to project normalcy prematurely.
Q3. When is the Sangai Festival 2025 scheduled?
The festival is scheduled from November 21 to November 30, 2025, at Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal.
Q4. What will the bandh entail and who is exempted?
The bandh will last 24 hours statewide. Exempted services include media, hospitals/medical, water supply, fire services, and religious ceremonies.
Q5. What do the boycotting groups want from the state before supporting the festival?
They demand free movement on national highways, resettlement of displaced persons, addressing humanitarian and community grievances, before accepting major tourism-events. They set a deadline of December 3 for highway movement reforms.
