Manipur Independence Day celebrations in the state were subdued on Tuesday due to dawn-to-dusk general bandh call by several militant outfits and large-scale loss of life and property in ethnic violence in the last three months. Due to the bandh, shops and markets remained closed and roads deserted in rural areas of the state and in large parts of capital Imphal. Here in Manipur affected by caste violence, Bollywood cinema returned after more than two decades. A Hindi Bollywood film based on the surgical strike against Pakistan was screened at a makeshift open air theater in Churachandpur. A large number of people had arrived in Rengkai to watch ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’ starring Vicky Kaushal.
officials shared their position
In compliance with an official order, government employees from the hill and valley districts reached their respective offices to take part in the flag-hoisting ceremonies. A government employee named Robin Laishram said, I reached the office at around 8.30 am and participated in the flag hoisting ceremony. Most of my colleagues were there. After the program we all discussed the current situation. A government employee named Sunita Devi, who is due to retire at the end of this year, was the first to reach her office for the 77th Independence Day celebrations. This is my last year in office. After that, I will go to Delhi and stay with my son. Before the caste violence broke out, I thought of celebrating Independence Day with my office colleagues. But I had to drop all my plans as there was nothing to celebrate.
People in Manipur remained locked inside their houses on the occasion of Independence Day
Celebrations at the state and district level, with distribution of prizes and certificates, playing of the national anthem and cultural programs were organized in a grand manner. At the local level, the enthusiasm for the celebrations faded as most people did not come out of their homes. Local businessman named Sarat T said, there has been a lot of loss of life and property in the last three months and hence there was no atmosphere for celebrations. A close relative of mine, whose house was gutted in Moreh, is in a relief camp in Imphal East district. We have prepared some special dishes for his family and are going there to give it to him. This is our celebration today. For the last two days, the entire state was engaged in preparations for the Independence Day celebrations in Imphal. National flags were hoisted on the main roads and important buildings in the city. Some people also participated in the Centre’s ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan’ and hoisted the tricolor at their residence. Officials said that the volunteers of Kuki-jo village in Churachandpur district also celebrated the 77th Independence Day. He told that the tricolor was also hoisted on the national highway in Kangpokpi town.
Hindi film screened after two decades
Meanwhile, for the first time in two decades, a Hindi film was screened on Independence Day in the state. The film was screened by tribal organization Hamar Students Association (HSA) at Rengkai (Lakma) in Churachandpur district on Tuesday evening. The HSA said the last time ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ was screened publicly in Manipur was in 1998. The ban on Hindi films was announced in September 2000 by the banned organization Revolutionary People’s Front.
Hindi film screened after two decades
Meanwhile, for the first time in two decades, a Hindi film was screened on Independence Day in the state. The film was screened by tribal organization Hamar Students Association (HSA) at Rengkai (Lakma) in Churachandpur district on Tuesday evening. The HSA said the last time ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ was screened publicly in Manipur was in 1998. The ban on Hindi films was announced in September 2000 by the banned organization Revolutionary People’s Front.
National Anthem played in Imphal before film screening
Before the film was shown, the national anthem was played at an open air theater located 63 km from the capital city. The HSA said that the Hindi film ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ was shown for the last time in Manipur in 1998. Officials said that within a week of the ban being imposed on 12 September, rebels had burnt 6,000 to 8,000 video and audio cassettes in Hindi collected from shops in the state. The RPF did not give any reason for the ban in the northeastern state, but cable operators said the militant group feared Bollywood’s negative impact on the state’s language and culture.