Assam DGP's Documentary On Underprivileged Youth Bags Award At JIFF 2024

Produced by Assam Director General of Police (DGP) Gyanendra Pratap Singh, Fehujali-A New Dawn, is written and directed by Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Special Task Force (STF), Assam police

Poster of Fehujali - A New Dawn

Guwahati: The documentary ‘Fehujali-A New Dawn,’ has bagged the “Best Short Documentary Award” at the Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF) 2024. Of the total 2,971 films submitted from across 82 countries, as many as 326 films from 67 countries were nominated, and 71 films from 19 countries were selected for the JIFF 24, which is a world record.

Produced by Assam Director General of Police (DGP) Gyanendra Pratap Singh, Fehujali-A New Dawn, is written and directed by Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Special Task Force (STF), Assam police Partha Sarathi Mahanta, who is also a filmmaker, with English subtitles by Jovial Kalita, the Assam police stated in a press release.

The documentary delves into the plight of the underprivileged youth in the northeast state of Assam, who are targeted by extremist groups as potential recruits through various coercive tactics, including the lure of money. Once inducted into the militant organisations, these youth quickly discern the futility of their so-called “mission to liberate Assam” from India. They realise that they are pawns manipulated by certain foreign powers exploiting misplaced patriotism, leading them to return home disillusioned with the initially promised dreams, the release stated.

The release further mentioned that the documentary employs cinematic treatment to portray authentic stories that serve as an eye-opener for the disgruntled youth urging them to stay on the right path in life.

According to a 2021 Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) report, the terrain, the state of socio-economic development, and historical factors such as language, ethnicity, tribal rivalry, migration, control over local resources, and long and porous international borders have resulted in a fragile security situation in the northeastern states. This has resulted in violence, extortion, and diverse demands by various Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs), which maintain safe havens and camps in the neighbouring countries. The insurgent outfits indulge in violent and terror activities and intimidate people with arms in order to achieve their objectives and demands. They also maintain cross-border links, procure arms, recruit and train their cadres, and indulge in unlawful activities.

Assam has faced a major crisis due to nearly 45 years of insurgency in the state. Though in recent years, insurgency in Assam has seen a rapid decline with the majority of the extremist groups joining the mainstream, a number of banned militant organisations are still active and allegedly recruit youth of the state in their groups.   

The writer is a senior independent journalist covering the Northeast.

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