IMPHAL, February 7: During a press meet today at the Manipur Press Club, the Shumang Leela Adhoc Committee comprising of 10 theatre groups in a press meet at the Manipur Press Club expressed their dissatisfaction over the results of the 9th Shumang Leela Ningtham Kumhei. The adhoc committee which includes Peace Maker Artist Assn, Lamjingba Artist Assn, Dedicated World Artist Union, North Imphal Manipur Jatra Mandal, Tomthil Artist Assn., Billion Mass Theatre, Imphal Jatra Assn., Kamakhya Sangeet Mandal, Chumthang Creative Artist Assn. and Poklen Pokpa Artist Assn. said the results of the Shumang Leela Ningtham Kumhei must be reviewed as soon as possible. It may be mentioned that the top 3 awards this year does not include any of the 10 groups who are members of the adhoc committee.
It may be mentioned that the Shumang Leela Ningtham Kumhei had started from 18th December 2012 and concluded on 5th February 2013.
Hiyang Lukhoi, Convenor of the Adhoc Committee said that the executive members of the Shumang Leela council are not working in favour of Shumang Leela and its artists. He continued that according to the rules and regulations of the Shumang Leela council, the executive members of the council are to be elected every 3 years but that from the last 15 years there has been no sign of election.
The Shumang Leela Adhoc Committee has demanded for the disbandment of the current executive members of the council, a revision of the ningthem kumhei results, a separate executive body for shumang leela female artists, an audit report of the year 2012, disclosure of the original jury markings of the recent Ningtham Kumhei. Hiyang Lukhoi also said that if their demands are not met, then the said 10 artists groups will not participate in the next festival.