Imphal: Displaced Meitei women, victims of the ongoing ethnic strife in Manipur, have announced a boycott of the upcoming Ningol Chakkouba festival.
The festival, a significant cultural event celebrating the bond between married women and their paternal families, is scheduled for November 3, 2024.
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Hundreds of women, currently residing in cramped pre-fabricated houses at a temporary accommodation near Sajiwa Jail in Imphal East district, staged a sit-in protest on Saturday.
They expressed their deep anguish over the prolonged displacement and demanded an immediate resolution of the conflict to enable their return to their homes.
Takhellambam Ibeyaima Devi, a leader of the displaced women, stated, “We have decided to boycott this year’s Ningol Chakkouba. While we appreciate the invitations extended by our relatives, celebrating the festival without being able to return to our homes seems meaningless.”
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She further appealed to the state government to prioritize their resettlement, ensuring they can celebrate the festival in their own homes next year.
The ongoing conflict has forced countless families to flee their homes, leaving behind their livelihoods and cultural traditions.