Manipuri filmmaker critical after attack by suspected militants

Imphal: Manipuri film producer-director M. Raghumani was in critical condition on Thursday after an attack by suspected militants seeking protection money, police said.

Raghumani, a former general secretary of the Film Forum Manipur, was found bleeding at Iroishemba hill near Imphal before dawn on Thursday. His left arm was fractured, police sources said. His entire body bore cut marks.

Hospital sources said he was in critical condition.

Two underground groups had allegedly served extortion notices to the Film Forum Manipur to collect money from actors and other film personalities in the state.

Unable to pay the huge amount, the Forum had suspended the screening of films, shootings and other film related activities for weeks.

Surjakanta Sharma, chairman of the Film Forum Manipur, denounced the attack on Raghumani.

"It is beastly behaviour to have attacked the noted producer and director," he said.