NE tightens noose around 'The Da Vinci Code'

Guwahati, June 4 (UNI) The North-East has further tightened its noose around the controversial film 'The Da Vinci Code' after Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram--the three predominantly Christian states in the region--have completely banned its screening.

Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh are also protesting against the screening of the film. With negligible percentage of people in the North-East going to the movie halls, the state government has asked the cable operators not to show it or sell pirated CDs.

Last week in Meghalaya, the multi-coalition MDA government has banned screening of the Ron Howard's movie after several Church leaders, NGOs and others opposed as the film shows Jesus married Mary Magdalene and started a bloodline.

Despite the Bishop of Delhi agreed to clear the movie with a disclaimer, his move was criticised by the Roman Catholic Church here.

Roman Catholic Archbishop of Shillong Diocese Rev Dominic Jala said, ''Dan Brown's book as well as the film are utterly blasphemous and an insult to Christianity.'' However, NEHU's political scientist Dr A K Baruah said, ''The banning of the movie by the government is ridiculous as the Censor Board has permitted screening of 'The Da Vinci Code' across the country with a disclaimer.'' The Ron Howard's movie was released worldwide on May 17 at the Cannes Festival and was banned by the Meghalaya government on May 26 as per the Assam Cinema Regulation Act, 1953. The government also banned the screening of the film by cable operators and video parlours.

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