Inviting all for an evening of film screenings at Lamakaan about women and their fight for right in two films by Women Against Sexual Violence and State Repression (WSS) followed by an open discussion lead by Shreya K, a member of WSS and Javed Iqbal, a journalist.

Film: Encountering Injustice: The Case of Meena Khalko

Synopsis: The film looks into an alleged encounter of a 15 year old adivasi girl, Meena Khalkho who lived in Village Karcha of Balrampur district of North Chhattisharh. She was killed by the police who alleged that she was a naxalite. Moving between the electronic news coverage of the incident and testimonies of her parents and other people from her village, the film investigates the claims of the police, sexual violence, the attempt to suppress the truth of Meena’s murder and the impunity of the culprits gradually comes to light. We also get a glimpse into how difficult and long the struggle for justice is in the conflict zones of the country.

This film is part of a series of films called Loktantra Hazir Ho produced by the Women Against Sexual Violence and State Repression (WSS).

Credits: Produced by : Women Against Sexual Violence and State Repression (WSS) | Conceptualisation : rinchin; maheen mirza | Cinematography : maheen mirza | Editing : Paramita Ghosh | Sound : Subbu; Bigyna Dahal | Narration : Tultul Biswas Technical Information: SD | 2015 | 14 min | Chattisgarhi, Hindi with ES

Film 2: "Meanwhile the Killings Continue: The Encounter at Rewali"

Synopsis: In a combing operation in the Dantewara region of Chattisgarh an adivasi was encountered and killed by security forces. He and his wife had gone to a stream to bathe and collect material to make a baadi and were catching crabs when the security forces opened fire. Budhri, the woman hid behind a tree but Bhima Nuppo was shot and killed. The people from rewali village of which Budhri and Bhima were residents called the local leaders and media to investigate this incident and bring out the unprecedented violence that adivasis living in the area have to face regularly. A rally of about 7000 people set out to seek justice for Budhri and her 5 children. They were stopped and not allowed to go to the Collector office. Negotiations ensued between the people and the administration. The film documents this entire process.

The film is about 17 minutes. We also have some video testimonies of women from Peddagellur and Nendra which we can show, The films will be followed by a discussion with Shreya K. Shreya is a member of Women against Sexual Violence and State Repression (WSS) which has produced the films. She lives and works in Chhattisgarh and has been a part of the recent fact-findings that looked into instances of mass sexual assault carried out by security forces in south Bastar. Women against Sexual Violence and State Repression, is a non funded grassroots effort initiated in November 2009 to challenge and put an end to the violence being perpetrated upon women’s bodies and societies. (wssnet.org)

All are welcome. Entry:Free.