IFEC and FEFSI back Vinayan

Kochi, June 11 (UNI) Deepening the crisis in the Malayalam film industry, the Indian Film Employees Confederation (IFEC) and Film Employees Federation of South India today threw their weight behind Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) Federation General Secretary Vinayan and his official group.

This follows yesterday's decision of the breakaway group, comprising of top directors, who quit MACTA, to form a parallel body to the Federation, an apex body of 19 unions in the industry.

Speaking to reporters here, IFEC President S Vijayan said '' we are supporting the Federation and the hundreds of labourers who are part of the official group.'' Sending warning signals to the breakaway faction, Mr Vijayan said it would not be able to make films as the technicians, who were members of the Federation, would not associate with them.

'' Though the producers were the captains of the film industry, the industry is being supported by the labour force working in unison for the industry,'' he noted.

On the breakaway group's claim that Vinayan ceased to be the General Secretary of the MACTA Federation since he was nominated to the post as a member of the executive committee of the Director's Union, Mr Vijayan said the Union would be meeting tomorrow and his majority would be declared.

Yesterday, ten directors K Madhu, Thampi Kannanthanam, Sibi Malayil, Viji Thampi, Santhivila Dinesh, Blessy, G S Vijayan, Johney Antony, Padmakumar and Raj Babu resigned from the executive committee of the Federation.

The fissures in the Federation widened after actor Dileep backed out of a film to be directed by Thulasidas and his subsequent decision to work with director Siddique.

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