Commemoration function of Sharmila's fast begins
Source: Hueiyen News Service /NNN

Imphal, November 02 2011: The Just Peace Foundation today inaugurated 'Festival of Hope', a five-day long function to commemorate the completion of 11 years of fast by Irom Chanu Sharmila demanding the repeal of AFSPA, at Manipur Dramatic Union (MDU) Hall, Yaiskul Police Lane, Imphal.

Professor Arambam Lokendra and President, JPF, Kh Anandi graced the inaugural function as Chief Guest and President respectively.

"Bohiniman Jibon" a book in Bengali translated by Mahasweta Devi from the original book of Deepti Priya "Burning Bright" based on the struggle of Sharmila was released by the Chief Guest as part of the function.

While recalling the ignorant nature of the government on the 11 years struggle of Sharmila demanding the repeal of AFSPA, Prof Lokendra recalled how the security forces terrorised the civilians of the state under the act.

He termed as unfortunate the denial of permission to human right activists who come all the way from Jammu and Kashmir to Imphal covering around 4500 km crossing over 10 major cities of the country by the state government to meet Irom Sharmila.

It clearly showed that the government and the Indian Army are against the removal of the Act, he pointed.

Irom Shingajit, brother of Sharmila said since the promulgation of AFSPA, 1958 in the State the people of Manipur have been facing various kinds of problems.

Both the central and State governments remained deaf despite various forms of movement and struggles launched by different NGOs for the scraping of the black law from the State.

He termed the agitation launched by a group of elderly women who protested against the killing of Thangjam Monorama in front of Kangla fort here in nude as a rare movement in the history of mankind.

Singhajit also reminded the gathering of the self- immolation Pebam Chitaranjan to protest against the Act.

A solo dance by Nongmeikapam Surjit titled "One Voice Shock" and a ballet by the team of Pranab Mukherjee from West Bengal titled "Submerged and Subdued" were also staged as part of the inaugural function.

It may be mentioned that the Just Peace Foundation in association with various right groups will also be organising a nationwide fast on November 5 in support of Sharmila's struggle.

Meanwhile, a reliable source stated that an official from the Prime Minister's Office will be meeting Irom Sharmila at the JN Hospitals where she is being kept under judicial custody in the security ward of the hospital.

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