Imphal, July 18 2009: Sharmila Kanba Lup, a social organisation fighting for the cause of Irom Chanu Sharmila who has been on fast unto death agitation for more than 8 years now demanding lifting of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur, has reiterated its appeal to the people for continued support and encouragement.

Apart from launching an indefinite hunger relay strike at PDA complex, Porompat since December 10 last year in pursuance of the twin demand of removing the Army law and save the life of Sharmila, the Lup has been carrying out poster campaign and street corner meeting to generate public support to the cause even as hunger relay strike has spread out to Thoubal district.

The hunger relay strike being launched by the Lup at PDA complex completed 221 days today while that of the agitation in Thoubal district 163 days.

But so far, the Government has not given any response to the public demand for removing Armed Forces Special Powers Act and there has been no abatement to the killing of innocent persons with impunity by the security personnel, according to a statement of the Lup made available to the press today.

The statement recalled that Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1985 was enforced in Manipur in 1980 along with declaring the entire State as disturbed area.

Since the imposition of the Act which gives sweeping power to the armed security personnel, many people have been killed without trial while others disappeared after being picked up even as not just women but even young boys have been violated of their chastity.

People of Manipur could never forget the atrocities of the security forces carried out with immunity granted under the Act.

The incident of killing at Langjing, RIMS, Heirangoithong, Tonsen Lamkhai, Oinamlong, Malom, etc are still fresh in the mind of the people whose democratic rights have been curtailed all these years, the State said, while calling upon all the people to join hands in fighting against such injustice.

The statement signed jointly by the two convenors of the Lup namely K Taruni and AK Janaki further said although the hunger relay strike is being launched successfully with the support of all the local clubs, Meira Paibis lups, NGOs, artistes and other individuals, more pressures need to be exerted on the Government to wake up from its slumber to the demand public for lifting the draconian Army Act.

So the public should continue to support and encourage the Lup in spearheading the movement, the statement exhorted.

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