Imphal, September 13: In support of hunger striker Irom Chanu Sharmila and the people�s movement against the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, a five-day solidarity fast has begun from today at Keishampat junction here.

Apart from a number of Meira Paibis and student leaders, human rights activities from across the country are joining the fast being organized under the joint aegis of Delhi based National Alliance of People�s Movement (NAPM) and Manipur Forward Youth Front (MAFYF).

Talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the demonstration at Imphal, MAFYF president Sapamcha Kangleipal informed that along with the solidarity fast at Imphal, people in other parts of the globe including US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh and several Arab countries have also simultaneously begun a five-day demonstration at their respective countries against the prolonged imposition of the draconian Act in the NE States.

He said the people�s concern over the draconian Act has now become globalized as they have shown their solidarity towards �our movement�.

Kangleipal informed that the agitators will meet Irom Sharmila on Sunday at the security ward of Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital where she is being nose fed and kept confined.

Sandeep Pandey of NAPM said �such draconian Act has no place in democracy.

Since the imposition of the Act has not been able to resolve the insurgency problem in the region, it should be repealed immediately.

Failure of the Act has shown that armed forces cannot guarantee peace�.

Taking serious note of the silence of the Government of India over over the status of Jeevan Reddy�s report, Pandey disclosed that NAPM would soon file an application with the Prime Minister Office under the Right to Information Act on the matter.

Biju Borbaruah of the same organization observed that prolonged imposition of the Act has hampered all developmental fronts.

�Because of the large-scale violation of human rights including extra judicial killings, atrocities and raping of women and girls by the security personnel with immunity granted under the Act, the people of the North eastern region are becoming more and more alienated from the mainstream India apart from aiding in changing of their mindset and the character�, she said.

She further observed that the people of Northeast want peace and development but have been compelled to join the unrelenting protest against the oppressive Act.

This being the case the suppressed people have not been able to move forward for boosting economy�.

39-year old Irom Chanu Sharmila of Kongpal Kongkham Leikai has been fasting since a day after a troopers of Assam Rifles gunned down ten civilians at Malom in Greater Imphal on November 2, 2000. In recognition of relentless her struggle, Sharmila was honoured with the prestigious Gwangju Prize for Human Rights along with another rights activist at Seoul recently.

Her brother Irom Singhajit collected the award on her behalf.

Sharmila was also among 1000 Asian women nominated for the 2005 Nobel peace prize.

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