Assam extends solidarity to Irom Sharmila
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 15 2011:
In support of anti-AFSPA crusader Irom Sharmila, People's Forum of Democracy, Assam will stage a 24-hour hunger strike on November 2 in Guwahati observing the day as Sharmila Day.
This was informed by forum chairman Dr Dilip Bora in a press conference held at the Kwakeithel office of Human Rights Alert today.
He said that the forum would also conduct a signature campaign at different places of Guwahati in support of Sharmila's cause.
Dr Dilip Bora added that around 50 thousand signatures would be collected to forward to President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and other higher echelons of the Central Government.
He added that the forum would also campaign in other parts of the country in association with 60 other organisations in support of the marathon hunger striker.
As Sharmila's 10 years long movement is not only for the State of Manipur but for the people of the whole country who are enduring hardships under draconian AFSPA, a general convention of the forum decided to pledge support to Irom Sharmila, Dr Dilip Bora added.
Had different organisations supported her movement and major media houses of the country gave wide publicity Sharmila could have fulfilled her demand long time back, he observed.
Forum vice-president Ravi Verma and members Sarat Kalita and Vivek Das were also present at the press conference.They are yet to get permission from the State Government to meet Sharmila.