Imphal, May 15 — Manipur Police have denied the existence of a group named ‘Kuki Zo Village Volunteers Eastern Zone,’ which allegedly issued a warning against the Meitei community entering Kuki-dominated areas during the upcoming Shirui Lily Festival.
In a statement, police clarified that a press note dated May 11, circulated on social media and local publications, was issued by an unknown organisation claiming to restrict Meitei community members from accessing certain areas during the festival. However, after thorough inquiry, the police found no evidence of such a group and urged the public not to believe such unfounded and baseless messages.
District police have assured adequate security arrangements for the smooth conduct of the festival and requested public cooperation to maintain peace.
The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex body representing the Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribal communities, also distanced itself from the statement. The council emphasized it does not support or endorse any unsolicited communication from individuals or groups acting independently, reaffirming its commitment to democratic and collective representation.
Meanwhile, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla recently chaired a high-level organising committee meeting at Raj Bhavan to oversee preparations for the 2025 Shirui Lily Festival. Discussions included budgeting, scheduling, security, infrastructure, cultural programming, and promotional activities.
Celebrated during the peak blooming season of the rare Shirui Lily, the festival is primarily organised by the Meitei community in Ukhrul district. The Shirui Lily, which grows exclusively on the Shirui Hills, is the state flower of Manipur and cannot be cultivated elsewhere.
The festival aims to raise awareness about the conservation of this endangered flower and fosters communal harmony by bringing together various communities to celebrate the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
