Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 07:
Even as peaceful demonstrations continued to be staged at various places of the State today in solidarity with Irom Sharmila Chanu, two medical personnel who were looking after her at JN Hospital and a security officer have been flown to the National capital where the hunger striker is currently being treated at AIIMS.
According to highly placed source, two nursing staff of JN Hospital who are well verse with Sharmila's conditions due to long association of nurses during her stay at the hospital's security ward have been dispatched to New Delhi today after the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh issued a strong instruction on this matter from the National capital.
Summoning the nurses has become inevitable in assisting AIIMS doctors supervising treatment of Sharmila after she was shifted to the premier medical institute's medicine Ward yesterday.
After Sharmila was evacuated from her Jantar Mantar agitation site last night Delhi police had reportedly registered a case at a police station in Parliament Street, the source said while adding that other than Sharmila's brother no unauthorised person are granted access to her ward.
Nose feeding of Sharmila as was done in the JN Hospital prior to her release had also resumed at AIIMS, the source added.
A statement issued by the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup from New Delhi conveyed of the Lup and Manipuri Students' Association, Delhi's strong criticism at the manner in which Sharmila was 'violently' arrested by Delhi police from Jantar Mantar last night.
Taking grim note of Sharmila being arbitrarily confined in the Private Ward of AIIMS, the Lup termed the alleged violent response as another manifestation of repression to democratic call for justice to 'our basic fundamental rights'.
Declaring that the Central and State Governments would be held responsible in case of any undesired consequences, the statement further informed of the Lup and MSAD having organised a sit-in-protest at Jantar Mantar today.
A massive rally also staged yesterday was participated by around 500 students, human rights activists and individuals from Delhi and outside with the rallyists raising slogans for repealing AFSPA, decrying State terrorism accompanied with cries for justice and pledging support to sharmila's endeavour.
While Sharmila talking to the national media reaffirmed her commitment to democratic struggle for repeal of the Act, representatives of the Lup highlighted State repression, military abuses and suffering of the people of Manipur under the AFSPA, said the statement.
Clarifying that Apunba Lup has no intention to meet Central Govt leaders until and unless AFSPA is removed, it decried lack of sincerity on the part of the Govt to act on recommendations of the Justice Jeevan Reddy Review Committee.
Such an attitude entails further subjugation and violation of basic human rights, it expressed.
Apunba Lup will now explore and adopt serious means and resort to campaign with the international community to extend their support in repealing AFSPA and for an end to the suffering and grievances of the people of Manipur, informed the Lup's statement.
It also conveyed its sincere appreciation to all concerned who had been extending support to the cause of Sharmila and people of Manipur.
A meeting held tonight resolved to organise a mass protest rally on Oct 11 in collaboration with human rights groups of national and international stature.
Here in the state, business activities at the normally congested Khwairamband bazar came to a standstill as women vendors staged sit-in-protest to express their solidarity to sharmila.
Similar protests were also held at Keishampat Leimajam Leirak, Keishamthong Laisom Leirak, Khongjom, Kakching, Wabagai Lamkhai, Thiyam Leishangkhong, Kongpal Kongkham Leikai, Palace Gate's Poireilomba Keithel and Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai.
MLA L Ibomcha Singh demanded a special assembly session to discuss the AFSPA imbroglio.
Renewing pledges to agitate until and unless the repressive Act is totally repealed several organisations have drawn the attention of authority concerned for positive response to Sharmila's campaign to save the life of the determined lady.
Contending that Sharmila's non-violent campaign for repealing the Act should be honoured by both the Central and State Govts, manipurgi Ngamkhei Kanba Lup (Khumbong) proposed that the Indian Constitution be amended, if necessary, to ensure removal of AFSPA.
Failure to respect Sharmila and people's voices would compel the Lup to launch intense agitation, cautioned the Lup.
Pledging support to Sharmila, Kangleipak Loinasillon Apunba Marup (RIMS Road), Samajwadi Yuvajan Sabha (Manipur Pradesh), Thangmeiband Apunba Nupi Lup, Salai Apunba Nupi Lamjing Lup (Singjamei), Nupi Keithel Marup, kangleipak Students' Assn, Fed eration of Regional Indigenous Societies, Nupi Keithel Semgat Sagatpa Marup and NH-53 Kanglei Ching-Tam Leimallup (Sagolband) also appealed for positive response to the humane endeavour of the hunger striker.
On the otherhand, Kanglei apunba Ima Yaipha Lup and Manipuri Youth Organisation organised a meira rally from Khumbong till Khamnam Leirak yesterday in solidarity with Sharmila.
During the torch march, slogans were raised against imposition of the Act and State sponsored terrorism.