UGs DEMAND: Film related activities to be suspended from today
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 08 2015:
Film Forum Manipur (FFM) on Tuesday resolved to indefinitely suspend filmmaking and other related activities from Wednesday onwards alleging that underground organisations have demanded money from FFM and 14 other Guilds.
During an interaction with media persons at FFM Office Lamphel, Forum President Laimayum Surjakanta Sharma said that KCP (MC) Paikhomba, NRFM and URF (Lalheiba) groups had demanded the officials of FFM to pay an amount of Rs one lakh every year.
Sources said that the demand was however made through phone calls at the telephone numbers of Forum officials including President and General Secretary.
They were asked to collect the amount from the 14 Guilds associated with FFM and continuously threatened of dire consequences if their demands are not met, said a source.
Laimayum Surjakanta Sharma stated that some unknown persons visited the Forum office on Tuesday morning and threatened to send their men at the officials' homes if they failed to meet the demand.
In connection with the monetary demand, a meeting of the FFM was held on Tuesday and resolved to indefinitely suspend film related activities from Wednesday in protest against the demand.
The protest will cover film shootings; broadcasting of Manipuri films, Manipuri film songs and music videos in local cable networks; selling films by stockiest; premier shows and film releases; film related hoardings and suspension of film shows at cinema halls.
Laimayum Surjakanta Sharma also appealed the underground groups to review their demand.