First things first, we know the Mary Kom movie is only about the 5-time world champion boxer by the same name and her achievements. It is a movie about a Manipuri and not about Manipur. The creative freedom is completely in the hands of the film makers and it is their prerogative to mention or leave out what they want to. Highlighting the human rights situation in Manipur was never going to be a part of the movie but if it was included, it would have accentuated the hardships Mary Kom endured to reach the very summit. Also, it would have helped us understand the sorry state of affairs in the North Eastern state. But whatever the case, while we're talking about Mary Kom and while Manipur is in the news, let us look at 5 major human rights issues faced by the state:

Irom Sharmila

Irom Chanu Sharmila also known as the 'Iron Lady of Manipur' has been on a hunger strike for the last 14 years. She started her strike in November 2000 after 10 civilians were shot down at a bus stop in Malom by soldiers of the Assam Rifles in what has come to be known as the 'Malom Massacre'. She wants the AFSPA to be repealed and has even been arrested multiple times on charges of attempted suicide. Her strike which is still ongoing is believed to be the world's longest hunger strike.

Armed Forces Special Powers Act

One of India's most infamous laws, AFSPA gives the armed forces total immunity in regions labelled as 'disturbed areas'. It includes the license to kill and also legitimizes sexual violence while making the armed forces immune to prosecution by a civilian court. Several cases of arbitrary killings, torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and enforced disappearances have alleged to have happened because of this act.