Imphal, March 27: It is an irony that while artistes of the traditional performing art form of Shumang Leela have been contributing their mite in spreading awareness among the people on HIV/AIDS, some of their own colleagues have been either affected/infected or died from the disease.

It is against this backdrop that a training workshop on HIV/AIDS for the Shumang Leela artistes of Manipur was held at Iboyaima Sanglen at Palace Compound here today.

Sponsored by Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS), the workshop was jointly organised by AIDS Consortium, New Delhi and Manipur State Shumang Leela Council.

Conducting the workshop as one of the resource persons, former consultant of NACO and chairman/executive director of AIDS Consortium Dr Khomdon Lisam expressed serious concern over the growing cases of HIV/AIDS infection and its social implication in Manipur.

The significance of the workshop lies in the fact that cases of HIV/AIDS infection or even deaths have been detected from among the minuscule population of the artistes, one of the most popular traditional performing art form of Manipur through practice of homosexuality despite the fact the same artistes have been contributing their mite in spreading awareness among the people on their issue through their art, he said.

Dr Khomdom Lisam observed that the male artistes who play the role of female characters in the Shumang Leelas are more attractive than 'real living women' so much so that some of the men forget themselves and are tempted to have physical relationship with their male co-star in female costume.

Such 'unprotected' same sex practice is one of the main root causes for spreading HIV/AIDS among the artistes of Shumang Leela as well as to others, Dr Khomdon pointed out, while explaining that unprotected sex does not mean just 'use or unuse of comdoms' during sex but to prevent discharge of body fluid like semen during anal intercourse, etc.

While stressing on the importance of undergoing HIV testing if any person suspect themselves to have been exposed to the virus, Dr Khomdon also explained the other significant preventive measures to be taken by MSMs (Men Having Sex With Men).

Director of Manipur State AIDS Control Society Dr Pramod, who was another resource person of the workshop pointed out that 1.4 percent of the population in Manipur has been officially confirmed to be HIV positive.

However, this does not mean that the remaining population are HIV negative, he said.

This is due to the fact that many people in Manipur do not come out voluntarily for HIV testing fearing social stigma and discrimination.

So there is the need to spread mass awareness in this regard, he added.

A questionnaire for 'Mapping and Rapid Assessment Survey for MSMs in Manipur' was distributed among the participants and its finding discussed and analysed during the workshop.

It may noted that NACO had already given an instruction for covering 80 percent of the MSMs population in Manipur who are considered as High Risk groups during the 3rd phase of the National AIDS Control Programme.

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