Rally in Bangalore shows solidarity to Irom Sharmila
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 25 2011: Several NGOs launched nation wide sit in protest, signature campaign and silent procession to support Irom Sharmila's decade-long struggle against the controversial Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act 1958 .

Holding playcards which read 'Repeal AFSPA','Support Sharmila' etc, Bangalore Manipuri Students Association in association with the Web2Source Enterprises on Sunday organized a silent rally from Cubbon park to MG Road via Mayo hall and converged at the starting point for a 5-hour sit in protest till 5pm on Sunday.

"We're holding the rally and sit in to demand repeal of AFSPA and support Sharmila's decade old struggle," informs Peter Ahanthem, a participant from Bangalore on phone.

"The campaign will continue at important cities of the country".

"We now, the present day youth have come together inspired by our motto 'Save Democracy Repeal AFSPA' and "to ensure replacement of the act and release Irom Sharmila who has been taking a major role of the struggle against AFSPA fasting 11 year ago, to help her drink first sip of water and savor the goodness of food�" said one of the participant.

A similar sit in demonstration was also reportedly held at the national capital, the sources added.

Sharmila,a human rights activist from Manipur has been on a hunger strike since November 2, 2000 to have the act, which provides unlimited powers to security forces to shoot at sight and arrest anybody without a warrant, repealed.

She launched the indefinite hunger strike after she heard the killing of 10 people by armymen in Malom, on the outskirts Imphal.The 'Save Sharmila' campaign will be held from October 2 to December 10.The signatures will be handed over to President Pratibha Patil on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day on December 10, followed by a peace march in Delhi, from India Gate to Rashtrapati Bhawan.

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