Manipur’s banned outfits warned against disrupting peace

A day after a coalition of five armed groups threatened punitive action against people who participated in the recently concluded Sangai Festival in Imphal, the Manipur government warned individuals and banned organisations of strict action if they try to disrupt peace and intimidate law-abiding citizens.

Underlining that any attempt to intimidate or endanger the safety and security of any citizen is an act against the state and its people, the State government said that no individual, group or organisation, proscribed or otherwise, has the 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,” Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel said in a statement on Thursday (December 4, 2025).

The State government appealed to the people to stand united against unlawful elements and extend cooperation towards maintaining peace, harmony and public order to bring the State back to the path of growth and development.

“The government appeals to the general public to immediately report any instance of threat, extortion, coercion, or suspicious activity to the nearest police station. Prompt punitive action will be taken on all credible reports against those threatening the lives and properties of people,” Mr. Goel said.

The State government had earlier established an anti-extortion cell under the Home Department, along with a toll-free number to report cases. The government had assured that the identity of the informant would be kept confidential.

Public apology sought

On Wednesday (December 3, 2025), the leaders of five outlawed organisations demanded a public apology from individuals and organisations for attending the Sangai Festival in November. They threatened the participants, including cultural troupes, with punishment if they failed to apologise before December 10.

The banned groups are the Kangleipak Communist Party, the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup, the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, the PREPAK (Progressive), and the Koireng-led United National Liberation Front. These outfits had thrown their weight behind the internally displaced persons (IDPs), who boycotted the Sangai Festival to protest the government’s failure to rehabilitate them.

A large number of some 62,000 people displaced by the ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities that broke out in May 2023 stay in relief camps in the Imphal Valley. They want to return to their original homes in the Kuki-dominated hills.

More than 260 people were killed in the conflict.

The internally displaced persons and the armed groups said the Manipur government under President’s Rule displayed insensitivity by organising the Sangai Festival when thousands were living in misery, yet to recover from the impact of the violent conflict.