“Such excessive and targeted use of force upon civil society leaders is a clear violation of democratic norms and fundamental civic rights,” COCOMI said in a statement.

The organisation criticised the Governor-led administration operating under President’s Rule for “pushing forward an anti-people Sangai Festival 2025 without the consent, cooperation, or confidence of the people of Manipur.”

“At a time when thousands of our own people remain displaced, when normalcy is yet to be restored, and when the wounds of violence are still fresh, the state’s insistence on an extravagant festival is insensitive, misplaced, and against the wishes of the people,” COCOMI said.

It stated categorically that before any celebration took place, the state must restore the fundamental rights and freedom of movement of all citizens, ensure the safe return of all IDPs to their homes, re-establish peace and normalcy across the state, and stop all forms of coercion and suppression against civilian voices.

The organisation also called upon all citizens to join a mass sit-in demonstration on 21 November with the declarations: “we will not take part in the Sangai Festival 2025 and restore our fundamental rights before Sangai Festival.”