From Irom Sharmila to Dr Manmohan Singh
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 03 2011: Irom Sharmila Chanu, who is set to complete her eleventh year of huger fast against the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act on November 5 , has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take into account her struggle for the cause of the people.

The 'Iron Lady' of Manipur expressed her mind when former Vice Chancellor of Aligarh University, M Rahman met her today afternoon at the security ward of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (Jnims) close to her Promopat residence in Imphal East.

Rahman, who is a retired IAS officer and a key functionary of a Pune-based NGO Sarhad, said he would convey her message to the PM through appropriate persons.

"There is no place for the draconian Act in this democratic country and I'm struggling since the last more than ten years against it .

The Central leaders especially the Prime Minister should take note of the cause I have taken up," Sharmila said.

M Rahman with Sharmila at JNIMS security ward

Reacting against the State Government's failure to issue permission to a team of her supporters to meet her recently, Sharmila expressed deep disappointment against the Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio.

Participated by 25 activists , the 4,500 km long Srinagar to Imphal 'Jan Karvan march' campaign was flagged off by social activist Medha Patlkar in Srinagar on October 16 and it reached Imphal on October 27 after holding series of meetings and other activities in nine cities including the national capital.

On October 29, the campaigners left Imphal without seeing her as the State Government denied permission for the meeting.

The previous day they courted arrest during a hunger fast protest.

"The CM should know that they (campaigners) came all the way from Kashmir to Imphal.

They should be treated as human beings with sympathy.

Instead, they were denied by the Government to meet me.

I'm deeply hurt by the Government's unwanted attitude towards them," lamented Sharmila.

Taking note of the angsuih of Sharmila, Rahman said, "You have responded in a Gandhian way.

You have made a tremendous sacrifice for the cause of the people.

We will work for repealing the Act.

We will definitely convey your words to the PM through appropriate persons" .

Social worker Jeevan A Ninghou,who coordinated Rahman's Manipur visit, said he would work for translating some letters sent to Sharmila from her supporters in Kannada language to Manipuri.

Ningthou, who also accompanied Rahman in Sharmila's meeting, took the letters from her and assured to do the translation works very soon.

Sharmila, who has penned a number of poems on social issues, said she would release an article probably on Saturday, the day she enters her eleventh year of fast against AFSPA.