Save Irom Sharmila Solidarity Campaign at Ambedkar Statue, Hyderabad
- Hyderabad Manipuri Society -
2nd October, 2011:
Hyderabad Manipuri Society in association with the National Alliance of People’s Movements, AP Chapter is launching the State wide Campaign on 2nd October 2011, 3pm at Ambedkar Statue, Tank Bund, and Hyderabad, as part of the Nationwide "SAVE SHARMILA SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN" involving many organizations and people’s movements that is being launched across India at same time & date.
AN APPEAL FOR PEACE & JUSTICE
Save Irom Sharmila Solidarity Campaign at Ambedkar Statue, Hyderabad on 2 October 2011
We are the world's largest 'democracy'. Though the reality of this 'democratic' nation is very different, but it is still the preferred system of governance as people still have the right to voice their opinion, to speak out, to protest. But sadly even this aspect is restricted only to the 'mainland India'.
In Manipur, a poet and an activist, Irom Chanu Sharmila has been on a hunger strike for 11 years now. Her hunger protest has become the longest in the world. She has been protesting against the draconian law of AFSPA (Armed Special Forces Power Act) which was enforced in the north-east in 1958. The AFSPA calls for an autocratic and unchecked rule by the army. In the name of 'protecting the law and order', anyone can be arrested or shot. It has led to extra-judicial killings, illegal detentions, fake encounters, rapes and torture of the civilian population. According to official records, since 1980, more than 25,000 civilians have been killed.
The government has reacted to these protests and Irom Sharmila's heroic struggle by ignoring these pleas and by suppressing the "Iron Lady". She is a common citizen just like every citizen of India…another face in the crowd. Her struggle is not just to liberate Manipur; it is to restore democracy in this country. So whether it is Humanity or Patriotism that calls you, Support Irom and her struggle. Save this democracy.
The Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign is a nation-wide protest against the neglect and suppression of Irom Sharmila. We have demands with government:
To start positive steps of talk with Irom Sharmila and to listen her demands seriously
To send all party delegation
To send members of NWC/NHRC to investigate cases of human rights violations
We believe that non violence should not be ignored and Irom Sharmila has every right to be heard. Government cannot ignore the voice of its citizens. We appeal you to raise your voice in support of Irom Sharmila.
See a full Photo Gallery on this event here
Thanks and Regards,
Hyderabad Manipuri Society
Website - http://www.hyderabadmanipurisociety.org/
* This Press Release was sent by Hyderabad Manipuri Society (HYMS)
The sender can be contacted at hyderabadmanipurisociety(at)gmail(dot)com
This PR was webcasted on October 02 2011 .
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