Ukhrul, October 15: The Tangkhul Naga Film Association (TNFA) has issued a strong statement defending Samurailatpam Naba Sharma, popularly known as Naba Volcano, against what it describes as a malicious online defamation campaign.
Naba Sharma, a renowned Manipuri singer and cultural icon, had attended the 5th Tangkhul Naga Film Festival on March 28–29, 2025, at Ambrose Hotel, Ukhrul, as the Chief Guest. During the award distribution ceremony on March 29, he performed a duet of the popular song “Chinggi Echel” alongside Tangkhul singer and actor Rosemary Shaiza. TNFA stated that the performance, which included playful acting, was meant to entertain the audience and was later uploaded on the Association’s official YouTube channel.
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According to TNFA, some individuals have circulated maliciously edited clips of the performance on Facebook, accompanied by false and misleading claims suggesting inappropriate behaviour. The Association condemned these actions as a deliberate attempt to distort an innocent artistic interaction and attack the singer’s reputation.
Naba Sharma is widely respected not only as a singer but also as a peace advocate and promoter of communal harmony. TNFA called the defamation campaign “deeply irresponsible” and urged those responsible to remove the altered clips and defamatory comments immediately and and that continued circulation of such material will not be tolerated.