Stage set for nation-wide campaign in solidarity with Irom Sharmila
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, February 05 2013:
Several civil society organisations from across India are all set to launch a strategic week-long national campaign in support of civil rights activist Irom Chanu Sharmila's struggle against Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 .
Announcing this to media at Porompat here today, Faisal Khan, Coordinator of National Alliance for People's Movement (NAPM), said that Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC) would join hands with several civil society organisations from across the country to launch a nationwide week-long campaign from March 8 (International Women's Day) till March 14 (birthday of Sharmila).
On the last day of the campaign, around 25 well-known social activists including social activists Sandeep Pandey from Uttar Pradesh and Zulaikha Jaber from Chhattisgarh would visit Imphal to observe a one day fast in support of political activist Sharmila's campaign against AFSPA, he said.
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They would bring candles during their Imphal visit, but that they would not light up the candles as Sharmila is not yet released and languishing in the Security Ward of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Faisal added.
Irom Chanu Sharmila, also known as the 'Iron Lady of Manipur,' has been on fast since November 2, 2000 to demand the Indian Government to repeal AFSPA.
The social activist further stated that distributing of pamphlets written in different Indian languages, organizing of rallies and press conferences would be main highlights of the countrywide campaign.
Faisal lamented that the Government of Manipur has denied him permission to meet Sharmila for the fifth time.
An RTI application would be filed over repeated denial of the permission request to meet Sharmila, he informed, and added, "I will meet Sharmila without permission next time" .
The act of Manipur Government to decline his request to meet Sharmila is very unfortunate, he said, while informing that his request had been sent to the Manipur Government much before his arrival at Imphal yesterday.
"In fact, I have been trying to meet Sharmila for the last four years.
The first four requests had been denied and this is the fifth time that the Government of Manipur has denied permission to meet Sharmila", he added.
Faisal also suggested that both the state and Central Governments should hold unconditional talks with Sharmila over her demand.