1528

Rohit Saha, the Alkazi Foundation’s Photobook Awardee in 2017, presents his graduation work, focused on the state of Manipur from 2016-2018. This publication sheds light on the 1528 individuals who lost their lives in extra-judicial killings between 1979 and 2012, aiming to give visibility to their stories. The project is a personal account of Saha’s experiences, blending documentary evidence with his own photographs, capturing the lives of those who survived or lived through the disappearances of their loved ones. His work offers an intimate perspective on the region’s ongoing struggles, influenced by his engagement with the Extra Judicial Execution Victim Families Association Manipur (EEVFAM).

The project stems from a deep-rooted history of violence in Manipur, particularly the Malom Massacre of 2000, which led to a 16-year hunger strike by activist Irom Sharmila, advocating for the removal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA). This law has been used to justify extra-judicial killings in the region, with over 1528 deaths recorded between 1979 and 2012. Saha’s photobook emerges from his work with EEVFAM, where he gathered testimonies and witness accounts, piecing together a narrative that questions the nature of these “fake encounters” and the impact of AFSPA on the lives of Manipur’s citizens.