Film fraternity protest monetary demands made by militants

Imphal, May 16 (UNI) Film stars, directors, producers and others associated with the film world today staged a sit in protest at Keishampat here in protest against the monetary demands made by some underground outfits.

All picture halls in Manipur were closed down for the fifth day following threat by militants.

The film personalities under the aegis of Film Forum, Manipur, (FFM) demanded that no outfit should put any demand from the picture halls which are already incurring losses.

The FFM took the decision of closing down all picture halls after militants demanded money from the halls. The halls would reopen only if an agreement between them was reached.

FFM Chairman W Lalit appealed to the militants not to demand money from the proprietors.

About a dozen picture halls which were showing Manipuri films were closed down following the decision. Most of the picture halls in Manipur show only Manipur films as Hindi films have been banned by militants.

The local cable network also did not broadcast any film related programme as a part of the stir.

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