Imphal, March 4 -- This year's Thabal Chongba, a traditional folk dance performed during the Yaoshang festival in Manipur, has been banned early by the Kangleipak Communist Party - People's War Group (KCP-PWG), an underground outfit.

The announcement, made on Tuesday, prohibits all forms of entertainment programs, including the popular dance, during the festival.

Yaoshang, the largest festival for the Meitei community, akin to Holi for Hindus, will be celebrated for five days beginning March 14, marking the full moon of the lunar month.

However, the KCP-PWG issued a statement urging the people of Manipur not to extend the festival beyond five days due to ongoing Class X and XII examinations and the worsening law and order situation.

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