BORDUMSA, Jan 18: The Singpho Youth Organisation (SYO India), led by its President, Gumshowng Lagang, has issued a strong statement of protest over the exclusion of the Singpho Tribe from the Pangsau Pass International Festival. The organization expressed deep disappointment, outrage, and a sense of injustice, describing the omission as a significant blow to the Singpho community’s identity and heritage.
In a statement, Lagang highlighted the historical and cultural significance of the Pangsau Pass to the Singpho Tribe. He noted that the Singpho people played a crucial role during the construction of the Stilwell Road, contributing manpower, local knowledge, and logistical support to the project, despite facing disruptions to their traditional way of life. The exclusion of the tribe from a festival celebrating the region’s heritage, he argued, disregards the Singpho community’s invaluable contributions to the identity and history of the area.
“The Pangsau Pass International Festival, intended to showcase the region’s cultural diversity, cannot be deemed complete without the active participation and representation of the Singpho Tribe,” Lagang stated. He emphasized that the Singpho’s unique traditions, including their music, dance, and crafts, are an irreplaceable part of the region’s cultural fabric.
The SYO has called on the festival’s organizing committee to immediately address this oversight and ensure the Singpho community’s inclusion in the event. They stressed the need for swift and respectful action to uphold the principles of inclusivity, fairness, and cultural integrity.
