Film Forum protests threat to theatres
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 04 2011:
The impasse over restriction imposed by an underground group on cinema halls in Imphal has prompted the Film Forum Manipur (FFM) to resort to protest demonstration and till today nothing has come up with any definite solution.
Cinema hall owners today reportedly convened a meeting to break the impasse and resume the screening of cinemas across the State capital but to no avail.
Talking to Newmai News Network, Imomacha Sinam, spokesman of Film Forum Manipur (FFM) said that "nothing really emerged from the talks today which would settle the impasse.
A resolution to break the thaw will most probably be achieved by tomorrow (Thursday)" .
Significantly, the KK Nganba faction of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) allegedly imposed a restriction on three cinema halls in Imphal, Usha, Mini Friends and Pratap Talkies, on April 22, against screening of cinema without giving any definite reason for the imposition, which was aired by a cable TV channel ISTV and carried by newspapers the following day.
Following the threat, cinema halls across the city remained closed for nine days from April 23 .
On the tenth day, a protest demonstration was staged under the aegis of Film Forum Manipur on which day the forum took the decision to start screening cinemas for five days with the understanding that within the five days if the imposition recur the forum would resort to intense agitation.
Apparently, the imposition imposed by the KCP on the three cinema halls stands.
The screening of cinemas in these halls has therefore been suspended and a meeting to resolve the issue sought within the forum today.