Imphal: A feature film revisiting the 1974 death of a young Tangkhul Naga woman and the protests that led to the formation of a prominent Naga women’s organisation was released and screened at Camp Hebron, the General Headquarters (GHQ) of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) in Peren district, Nagaland, on November 13.
Titled ROSE, the film was produced by M-Series and Jangko Production House. It chronicles the life and death of 20-year-old Rose from Kumram village in the then Ukhrul district of Manipur and the subsequent mobilisation of Tangkhul women demanding justice and accountability.
According to the account presented by the filmmakers, Rose, born on February 21, 1954, to N. Angti and N. Binu, was allegedly sexually assaulted by Major Pundir and Captain Negi of the 95th Battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) on the night of March 4, 1974. She died by suicide three days later, on March 7.
The incident triggered protests by Tangkhul women amid prolonged militarisation under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958. The mobilisation led to the formation of the East District Women Association, which later became the Tangkhul Shanao Long, the apex organisation of Tangkhul women.
Organisers said the film aims to preserve community memory and familiarise younger generations with the origins of organised women’s resistance in the region.
NSCN/GPRN Deputy Ato Kilonser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) VS Atem attended the event as chief guest, while Naga Army Longvibu Lt. Gen. Honreishang Shadang was the chief host.
Special guests included members of the NSCN collective leadership and steering executive: Eno. Rh. Raising, Rev. A. Puni Mao, Eno. KP. Hurray and Eno. Mazamo Ngullie.
Hosted by Esther Somungla Jamang, the programme included an introduction by the production team, an address by the chief guest and a dedicatory prayer by Naga Army Chaplain Lieut. Col. Kangamdai Dangmei. The event concluded with the screening of the film and an interaction with the audience.