Manipur is the easternmost state of the Indian Union bordering Myanmar. It was an independent country before its merger with India. A large section of the Manipuri population resisted the merger for what they called an “illegal and illegitimate annexation”. Certain acts were imposed in Manipur to curb the separatist movement. The Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958 (AFSPA) is one such act, a legislation enabling the armed forces of the union to exercise unguided power with immunity. Th. Manorama Devi a 32-year-old lady (a separatist suspect) was picked by the forces from her home on 11thJuly, 2004 issuing an arrest-memo. Her dead body was later found under suspicious circumstances. People largely believe that she was raped and later shot. This film is a diary of events, which took place in Manipur from the day Th. Manorama Devi died, till a youth dies setting self on fire protesting against the AFSPA, 1958.

Sceneggiatura / Screenplay Haobam Paban Kumar
Fotografia (colore) / Photography (colour) Saikhom Ratan
Montaggio / Editing Sankha
Produzione / Production Haobam Paban Kumar & Bachaspatimayum Sunzu
Anno di produzione / Year of production 2005
Durata / Running time 77’
Formato / Format Digital Color

Haobam Paban Kumar

Born 1976 in India, after making a Bachelor of Science, Haobam Paban Kumar graduated in Camera & Lighting Techniques of the Asian Academy of Film & TV, New Delhi, and post-graduated in Direction & Screenplay Writing at the Satyajit Ray Film & TV Institute of the Government of India, Kolkata. He assisted filmmaker Shri Aribam Syam Sharma in documentary & feature film production for more than five years. He is working in the film/television industry for more than 6 years as director, freelance and empanel producer and producer of independent documentaries. He directed and produced two independent video documentaries: Orchids And Manipur, and The Chorus Repertory Theatre, Imphal - a profile, and the educational documentary Kangla, which won 2001 the Award for the best programme in social sciences in the 14th UGC-CEC Educational Video Competition, New Delhi.