As Sharmila nears the decade old fast mark...
Arundhati Roy to arrive to show solidarity
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 30 2010: Booker prize winner and fiery activist, who has taken on the establishments questioning their dogmatic approach to issues and one of the few Indians to publicly condemn Pokhran II and III in 1998, Arundhati Roy among other eminent social and human rights activists of the Nation are set to join a five-day long observation beginning November 2 to mark ten years of Irom Chanu Sharmila's lone struggle against the controversial AFSPA.

Main highlights of the observation will include an all community prayer, seminar on peace and social issues and an art exhibition, said Sharmila's elder brother Irom Singhajit who is the managing trustee of the Just Peace Foundation (JPF), the organizer of the event.

Arundhati Roy and Irom Chanu Sharmila

"Globally acclaimed writer Arundhati Roy has given her consent to the foundation to join the observation.

Roy informed one of our key members that she along with her mother will come down to Imphal for the event," Singhajit said.

Roy once visited Sharmila in 2006 when she was force-fed at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after she was arrested by Delhi police for staging her hunger strike at the National capital, Singhajit added.

It was on a chilly night of November 5, 2000 Sharmila with a woolen shawl began her lone and indomitable protest against the military Act at the roadside at Malom village in Imphal West.

Her fast came three days after Assam Rifles soldiers mowed down ten civilians at the same place.

"Minutes before embarking on her mission, my mother showered blessings on her and told her to return home victorious," an emotional Singhajit, a resident of Kongpal Kongkham Leikai here, said.

In support of her nine years' stir completion in November last year, theJPF supported by Drik India and Peace Counts held a five �day long festival of hope, justice and peace at Imphal.

Significantly Magsaysay awardee and doyen of Indian literature Mahasweta Devi, who inaugurated it, also released a book on Sharmila christened "Burning Bright" written by Deepti Priya.

A photo exhibition was opened on the inaugural day.

Besides a seminar and art exhibition and plays on Sharmila will also be staged.

Amongst them include a play composed by a Malayali Theatre group and directed by Civic Chandran.

To ensure a fitting art exhibition, a large number of professional artistes have begun their work on different art conceptions but on a common theme-peace, Singhajit said.

"Sharmila Kanba Lup" (Save Sharmila group), a women's group that has been staging a relay hunger strike in support of Sharmila since December 10, 2008 and various civil organizations will join hands together to organize the ensuing observation, Singhajit said.