Imphal, June 28 2009: The completion of 200 days of the relay hunger strike launched by the Sharmila Kanba Lup (SAKAL) was commemorated today at the GM Hall.

The event was graced by the Convenors of SAKAL Keisham (O) Taruni and AK Janaki Leima; President of Kabui Mothers' Association Kakomlunglu Kamei; and President of United Manipuri Muslim Women's Development Organisation, Sitara Begum.

The resource persons of the programme were Dr Ch Silaramani, Reader in English, DMCA, and AC Nganthoi, Secretary of LEIMAKOL.

Dr Silaramani said that the AFSPA is not an Act to be imposed on citizens of India.

She said the people as well as the soldiers who killed people under the Act are inflicted with mental and heart diseases courtesy the killings on daily basis.

She said the people should be united in launching the right means of agitation to transform the situation and to enjoy the right to life.

Nganthoi said that several women of the hills and the valley have been killed and robbed off their chastity by security forces with impunity granted by the AFSPA, 1958 while also pointing out the killing cases of Rose in Ukhrul and Manorama in Imphal which remain embedded in the minds of the people.

Other speakers of the programme were S Momon Leima, Sitara Begum, Kakomlunglu Kamei, M Nirmala, and AK Janaki.

The SAKAL has launched the relay hunger strike since December 10, 2008.The hunger strike has been launched to show solidarity to hunger striker against AFSPA, Irom Sharmila Chanu and her cause.

Sharmila is on hunger strike for the scrapping of AFSPA in Manipur since November 2000 .

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