Kuki Group Issues Threat Over Shirui Lily Festival

National National

Posted by AI on 2025-05-15 00:15:00 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-09-26 22:45:01

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A Kuki group in Manipur has warned members of the Meitei community against passing by their villages while going to Ukhrul district, where the Shirui Lily Festival is set to take place later this year. The group has allegedly issued threats of violence, leading to concerns of disrupted travel, and inability to attend the festival, or even possible injury.

The Shirui Lily Festival is a yearly event that celebrates the blooming of the rare Shirui Lily flower, endemic to the state. The festival, scheduled for 20-24 May, is hosted in the predominantly Meitei village of Shirui, however, the area is also home to Kuki tribes. The Kuki group alleges that the Meitei community passes through their villages in large numbers, posing a security threat, and has thus issued the warning.

The warning, which sparked tensions between the communities, has resulted in a strengthened security plan for the festival this year.

Officials overseeing the event have stated that the festival promotes communal harmony, regardless of the community attendees belong to. They aim to strengthen security further, to ensure the safety of all attendees.

Attendees and locals hope that the issue will be resolved amicably, to allow for safe celebration of the flower, a rare and iconic symbol representative of the state.

The situation is being monitored, and further updates will be provided as they arise.

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