The Manipur Sangai Festival, 2019, kicked off with a cultural programme marking the grand opening at the Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre at Palace Compound here.

Delegates, including ambassadors and high commissioners of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao DPR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam also attended the opening and were presented with traditional gifts.

However, some stalls presented a deserted look following a boycott call made by Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) over the Naga peace talks.

Several stallowners including those from Egypt expressed apprehension that goods, including food items, would go waste if no visitors came.

Chief minister N. Biren Singh said, “Manipur Sangai Festival is no more a simple festival but a pride of Manipur and also a platform to promote the identity of the state to the world”.

He also hoped the state would overcome every hurdle and called for collective effort to resolve issues.

He welcomed the delegates from around the world and assured them of a peaceful stay and urged them to enjoy the beauty of Manipur.

Earlier in the day, Singh flagged off the Manipur Sangai Run from Khuman Lampak Main Stadium as well as a half marathon at Moirang in Bishnupur district as part of the festival.

On the other hand, COCOMI said its boycott call still stands.

In a late night press release, Ch. Sanajaoba Meitei, PRO to Biren Singh said Union home minister Amit Shah has given an appointment to meet the civil society organisation leaders of Manipur on Monday on the prevailing situation in the state in relation to the Naga talks.

It further said, the state government has also decided to convene a special winter session of the Assembly on December 20.