Imphal, December 09 2008: In support of the cause of Irom Chanu Sharmila who has been on fast demanding removal of AFSPA as well as in protest of the unjustified killings taking place in the State, Sharmila Kanba Lup, a voluntary organisation has decided to go on a hunger relay strike at Porompat PDA complex starting from tomorrow coinciding with the International Human Rights Day.

Announcing this during a press conference at the office of United People's Front (UPF) here this afternoon, convenor of Sharmila Kanba Lup AK Janaki appealed to the public to extend their support to the cause and come to participate in the hunger relay strike atleast for one day.

Outlining the motive behind the relay hunger strike, Janaki explained that it is a wake up call to the conscience of the Government of Manipur to the fact that Sharmila is a political prisoner and mobilise the collective support of the people.

The various programmes like poster campaign and singing competition eulogising Sharmila and her cause, presentation of plays and dramas based on the exemplary life of Sharmila, putting up photographs of Sharmila in the classrooms of schools and colleges, spreading message of Sharmila and her struggle throughout the North East region, observing the birthday of Sharmila in a grand manner, encouraging people to worship her as an iconic figure and launching a new movement against AFSPA, 1958 and human rights violation, etc are being planned to motivate the people, Janaki disclosed.

Moreover, discussion sessions on the role that the people and the various human rights groups should played towards supporting the cause of Sharmila and her struggle would also be organised, Janaki added.

In all 50 womenfolk would participate in the hunger relay strike on the first day, Janaki informed.

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