IMPHAL, December 20: The President of the Film Forum Manipur (FFM), L Surjakanta Sharma has appealed concerned proscribed outfits to revoke a ban imposed upon the Forum.
Speaking to media persons today in a press meet held at Shanker Talkies , Lamphel, Surjakanta further said that during the months of October and November last, threats and monetary demands have been served to them over telephone, he added that out of three UG groups, two of the groups have remained silent after having come to an understanding that, member of FFM are art lovers promoting the State through their talents. He said that film production activities have been halted from 9th December due to the threats.
He said that FFM was suppose to continue their work from 21st December, but one among the three UG groups (National Revolutionary Front, Manipur) continue to ban film production activity. He mentioned that the Forum has received further calls that if their monetary demand is not met, then they will attack cinema halls and film shootings.
The President of FFM expressed that Film Forum members are only art lovers and do not want to challenge any UG groups nor they have the potential to do so but he continued that serving monetary demands is out of their league and appealed the concerned to spare them.
He appealed the UG group to withdraw their dictate to ban film activity by 25th December and consider their request.
Secretary of Cine Actors Guild, Gokul who is also a renowned film artist of the state said that there is immense loss in the film fraternity due to the imposed ban, as there are time schedules to be kept and many actors and other technicians also have to earn their wages through this industry only. He continued saying that these kind of threats from UG groups will only lead to downfall of the cine industry.
Mention may be made that Film Forum Manipur is the conglomerate of 14 sister guilds working in connection of film production.