Artiste fraternity presses senior cop to apologise over ‘mockery’

Imphal: Manipur State Shumang Leela Council (MSSLC), Theatre Centre Manipur (TCM), All Manipur Matam Eshei Kanglup (AMMIK) and Film Forum Manipur (FFM) have urged officer-in-charge of Moirang police station RK Anilkumar to apologise for allegedly making a statement that hurt the sentiments of the artistes of the state.

A Joint Action Committee against derogatory comment given by Moirang OC Anilkumar has been formed, lifetime secretary of MSSLC Sh. Hemanta said and cautioned to launch agitation if the officer fails to apologise within three days.

According to a news report on Saturday, the police officer during the drug awareness campaign stated ‘not to waste money on leela, drama and song, instead use the money on drug issue,’ the artiste community claimed during a press conference at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Sanglen, here on Monday.

President of TCM Naba Wareppa said the statement of Anilkumar is an ‘insult and a mockery’ to the art and culture of the state. It is anti-parliamentary and against chief minister N. Biren’s effort to uplift the art and culture of the state.

It is very unfortunate that a police officer who is maintaining the law and order of the state does not know the value of arts and culture, he added.

Such a person is not fit to be a police officer as only a lunatic person can make such a statement, Wareppa remarked.

He asked the public what would happen if all the practice related to arts and culture are halted and telecasts of all arts and culture programmes are stopped.

Anilkumar’s statement hurts the sentiments of the artiste community. Shumang Leela has been a big platform in successfully spreading awareness on drugs, HIV, peace, harmony and love among different communities. Art and culture has not done any things which can cause hatred among one another, give influence to use drugs or take up bad works, Hemanta said.

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