Filmmaker appeals for peace in state
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, May 31 2023: While terming the present situation in the state as unfortunate, acclaimed film maker Haobam Paban Kumar has appealed all concerned to join hands together to restore peace and normalcy soon so that the upcoming generations do not have a sad future.

Talking to the DIPR, Paban Kumar said, "I never thought that the current issue would turn communal.

Any issue with a communal touch always has lasting impacts, and this issue, if not solved in time, will give a lasting negative impact to the future generation.

' He further stated, "Manipur is like a mini-India and we as a citizen of the state, irrespective of whichever community one belongs to, should try to bring an amicable solution.

Even the mainland Indians dwelling in Manipur should not remain a silent spectator during such critical times, but should join hands to restore peace in the state".

While urging all sections of the society to work together in the larger interest of the people of state, he regretted that the news report of the present situation as shared on social media and the mainland media, somehow, seems to lack ground reality and trying to build the narrative based on religion.

He further said that in Mani-pur, there has never been any occurrence of such incidents based on religion as religion has never been a major con-cern or a barrier in the sod - ety.

The present issue is quite different from those narra-tives and the comments made without knowing the ground reality need to be checked, he said, while also appealing to all citizens of the country to put effort to solve the present situation to bring peace and tranquillity in the state.

It may be mentioned Hao-bam Paban Kumar is an Indi -an filmmaker from Manipur.

His films and documentaries have been screened in several places across the globe.

Paban Kumar's debut feature film Loktak Lairembee (Lady of the Lake) won the National Film Award for Best Film on Envi-ronment Conservation/Pres-ervation at the 64th National Film Awards 2017.He also won the German Star of India at the 14th Indian Film Festival in Stuttgart, Germany for the film in 2017.Paban Kumar's documentary AFSPA 1958 in 2006 was one of the highly critical and widely appreciated films across the globe for his daredevil attempt to showcase the harsh reality of the ill ef-fects of Armed Forces Special Power Act in Manipur state.

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