Guwahati, Nov. 27: The proscribed United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) today warned that it will take necessary steps to ensure the ban on the screening of Hindi films. The warning assumes significance as Hindi films are being screened by cinema hall owners throughout the state despite the ban coming in force from November 15.

Though security around city theatre halls has been intensified, turnout has been severely hit. Ulfa’s stern iteration will further hit the trade.

Ulfa “chairman” Arabinda Rajkhowa iterated the ban in his speech on the occasion of the outfit’s annual Black Day, to be held tomorrow.

The Ulfa has been observing November 28 as protest day over the imposition of the President’s rule in 1990.

On November 13, cinema hall owners and film distributors in Guwahati had staged a daylong hunger strike after the outfit refused to respond to their appeal to withdraw the ban on screening Hindi films. The ban will affect the livelihood of about 50,000 families associated with the industry.

Rajkhowa appealed to the masses to understand the objective behind the ban, which was to break the “cultural hegemony” of the Hindi belt. Rajkhowa asserted the Ulfa would take all measures to enforce the ban, even if that entailed sacrificing the livelihood of those associated with the profession, for the sake of culture.

The “banning” of Hindi movies by the outfit hinges on the premise that Bollywood films show vulgarity and pollute people’s minds, specially the younger generation.

CM’s plea

Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh today asked the state board for wildlife to make a comprehensive plan to preserve Loktak lake, the largest fresh water lake in the region and also protect sangai, the world’s most threatened deer species, reports our correspondent from Imphal.

Ibobi Singh asked the members to make a plan to protect the dwindling wildlife population of Manipur. Ibobi Singh is the chairman of the board.

Keibul Lamjao wildlife sanctuary on Loktak lake is the only natural habitat of sangai.