Manipur Police on Thursday assured robust security arrangements for the upcoming Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district, scheduled from May 20 to 24, amid threats reportedly issued against Meitei community members by an unknown organisation.
The festival, being held after a two-year hiatus due to ongoing ethnic conflict, is a flagship tourism event aimed at promoting sustainable and responsible travel across the state. The latest edition will take place in the Naga-majority district of Ukhrul.
The police statement followed a threat allegedly issued by an organisation named “Kuki Zo Village Volunteer, Eastern Zone” through a press communiqué dated May 11. The message, which circulated widely on social media and local news platforms, warned Meiteis against “entering or crossing Kuki-inhabited areas” during the festival.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Manipur Police clarified that the organisation in question appeared to be non-existent following an official inquiry. “No such organisation was found,” the post read, urging the public not to believe “unfounded and baseless” messages.
“The district police will make adequate security arrangements to ensure and facilitate free movement of the public for the Shirui Festival,” the police stated, calling for public cooperation in maintaining law and order.
Manipur Director-General of Police Rajiv Singh visited Ukhrul district on May 12 for two days to review the security preparedness and assess the overall law and order situation ahead of the festival.
The Shirui Lily Festival celebrates the rare and endangered Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae), found only in the Shirui Hills of Manipur. First discovered in 1950, the flower has inspired generations of cultural storytelling and conservation efforts. This year’s edition promises a renewed focus on ecological preservation and cultural pride.
The festival, first held in 2017, has grown into a major attraction. Its 2022 edition was widely appreciated for spotlighting Ukhrul as a must-visit destination, drawing visitors from across India and abroad.
Meanwhile, the Kuki-Zo Council on Thursday distanced itself from the controversial communiqué, stating it does not endorse any independent or unsolicited messages made by individuals or fringe groups. “As a political platform committed to representing the democratic and collective interests of the Kuki-Zo people, the council does not engage in or endorse such communications,” it said in a statement.
Ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities have remained high since violent conflict erupted on May 3, 2023, with restricted movement between their respective areas for security reasons.
