Imphal Free Press

Manipuri filmmaker Rakesh Naorem has received the Best Director in Manipur award at the International 2nd Pulari International Film Festival 2024 for his short film ‘Use Me (Eibu Sijinnabiyu).’ The awards were presented on Sunday during the Film Festival organised by Film News and Entertainment IPTV Channel at Trivandrum in Kerala.

Apem Shimray, a youth from Ukhrul district in Manipur, grew up in a remote village sustaining his livelihood from the income that he generated solely from gathering wild food, timber and non-timber in the forests. An undergraduate student, he discontinued his studies as his poor and aged parents could no afford it. Blessed with five siblings - three sisters and two brothers including him, four of them had already settled down, making him the sole bread earner.

Speaking to media persons, CSO representative Sh Tamphamani called for the immediate release of the convenor and seven members of Langsai Thouna, along with four other individuals, by December 3. She warned that failure to comply would lead to intense protests in the peaceful town of Kakching. Tamphamani condemned the charges filed against the convenor and members, who she said had taken responsibility for safeguarding the state’s territorial integrity amid the ongoing crisis.

In a shocking incident, a 53-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death at Khonghampat in Imphal West district, Manipur following a dispute over construction of a rice barn. The deceased has been identified as Takhellambam Indrakumar, 53 years, son of T Chandrababu from Khonghampat Mayai Leikai under the jurisdiction of Sekmai Police Station in Imphal West district. According to sources, he was allegedly abducted by individuals suspected to be village volunteers and beaten to death.

It rather happened out of the blue. When the people in the Imphal valley are up in arms against the reimposition of the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 (AFSPA) in fringe areas of the valley bordering the hills besides the widespread build-up of mistrust for the security forces among the valley population, it could have been a mere coincidence that the handing over function of a portion of the Langthabal hillock by Assam Rifles authorities to the state government had to be staged.

Internally displaced people, including children, who have been residing at the relief camp in Phayeng since the onset of the crisis 19 months ago, staged a sit-in protest on Sunday, demanding to be allowed to return to their respective homes. The protestors, who have been living in challenging conditions, also called for the revocation of the extension of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in six police station jurisdictions across Manipur.

Sit-in protests were staged in different areas of Imphal East and West on Sunday against the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for registering criminal cases against Arambai Tenggol chief Korounganba Khuman in connection with the prevailing unrest in the state. The development comes after Imphal Free Press published a report on November 28 about how two NIA cases transferred by the Supreme Court from Imphal to Guwahati put the Arambai Tenggol chief Korounganba Khuman in its radar.

The JAC Against the Missing of Laishram Kamalbabu on Sunday imposed a ban on entry of army vehicles at Sekmai Bazar on Monday, in connection with the missing of L Kamalbabu from 57-Mountain Division Leimakhong since November 25. JAC asserted that there will be no entry of army vehicles at the bazar area from 7.30 onwards on Monday. However it stated that other security vehicles will be exempted from the ban.

In light of the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur, the All Manipur Christian Organization (AMCO) held an executive meeting on Saturday, coming together in prayer and reflection to address the grave situation. The meeting began with a solemn moment of silence to honor the lives tragically lost amidst the violence, stated a release.

Countering the remarks made by the chief minister of Mizoram, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh stated that as a seasoned politician and the chief minister of any state, one should not interfere in the affairs of other states. He expressed that it was unfortunate, and emphasised that the people should be the ones to decide on such matters. CM Biren was replying to query by the media on the sidelines of an event marking the relocation of the Assam Rifles from Langthabal Old Palace.