Fresh violence broke out in Bishnupur district on Friday night as internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Churachandpur attempted to march back to their abandoned villages, leading to clashes with police. At least five people were injured, and some police vehicles were damaged in the unrest.
The protest began when IDPs from Phougakchao Ikhai, Torbung Bangla, Waikhurok, and other areas in Churachandpur tried to proceed towards their homes. Security forces intercepted them at a barricade in Phougakchao Ikhai. As the situation grew tense, protesters sat in front of the barricade and declared they would not move until the ongoing Sangai Festival was cancelled.
The displaced persons, forced to leave their homes during the May 3, 2023, ethnic violence, have repeatedly demanded rehabilitation and safe return to their villages. They criticized the government for going ahead with the Sangai Festival despite thousands of people still living in relief camps. “If normalcy has returned, we should be allowed to go back to our homes,” said one of the protesters. 
As tensions escalated, some protesters began throwing stones at the security personnel. Police responded by firing multiple tear gas shells, smoke bombs, and mock bombs to disperse the crowd. Additional forces were deployed to control the situation. Five IDPs were reported injured, along with a few police officers. Several police vehicles were also damaged during the confrontation.
The incident coincided with the opening of the Sangai Festival 2025 at Hapta Kangjeibung, which witnessed a strikingly low turnout. Despite formal inauguration by the Governor, large parts of the venue were empty, and many stalls remained unoccupied, highlighting public dissatisfaction. Civil society groups, including the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), along with valley-based organisations, have expressed opposition to holding the festival while thousands remain displaced and ethnic tensions continue.
