Imphal, Aug 16: After a ban on screening film for almost 23 years, the Hindi film ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’ was screened in Manipur on Independence Day.
The ban on the screening of Hindi films was imposed in September 2000 by the rebel outfit Revolutionary People’s Front. The last movie was screened in the state capital Imphal was ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ in the year 2000.
The Hmar Students’ Association (HSA), an organisation of tribal students, screened the 2019 Hindi movie, directed by debutant Aditya Dhar, on Tuesday evening at Rengkai (Lamka) in Churachandpur. The HSA is likely to screen a total of four Hindi films, including Karan Johar’s Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
Children as well as their guardians were seen enjoying the film.
In a statement, the HSA stated that they publicly screened the Hindi film to mark the country’s 77th Independence Day. “This is to show our defiance and opposition to terror groups and pro-Meitei Manipur state government which have subjugated the tribals for decades,” the statement said.
The HSA further noted that Hindi films have been banned in Manipur for over 23 years now. “We would be declaring our ‘freedom’ from the anti-national terror groups who have boycotted Tuesday’s Independence Day celebrations,” the statement added.
It further claimed that over 20 Hmar women, some minors, were raped by cadres of rival “terror” group United National Liberation Front/Kangleipak Communist Party in 2006 in order to teach the villagers “a lesson” for supporting the Indian Army’s efforts in restoring law and order in Hmar Hills (now Pherzawl District).
Also read: Conrad Sangma puts the spotlight on Meghalaya’s bright stars on Independence Day; see the list here
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