JPF takes exception to 'romance' report in The Telegraph
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 05 2011: While appreciating the words of support and solidarity extended by the Nagas, Assamese and other North Eastern people, the Just Peace Foundation (JPF) has flayed the Telegraph for its report on Sharmila which the foundation said was aimed at driving wedges between Sharmila and her supporters.

JPF was happy to note that Sharmila has finally hit the headline of a National newspapers but it turned out like driving wedges between her and her supporters rather than highlighting the cause she has endured for over a decade.The article can be available at http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110905/jsp/frontpage/story_14465704.jsp, the foundation said in a press release.

The Telegraph report which carried the story of Sharmila's personal life as a lead story rather than her struggle was quite unfortunate.

JPF would be happy to encourage media to be little more sensitive in covering such issues.

They should also be aware that extraordinary restrictions have been put in place against anybody who wish to meet her, including her family, while free access is given to selected media from national newspapers.

Irom Chanu Sharmila

State Government has been forcing her to solitary confinement and selective media groups take undue advantage of her mental state created by her isolation.

It is also known that there is a long line of visitors who have been denied, or else inordinately delayed, in getting an appointment with her despite formal official application in the specified procedure.

"Let it be known JPF appreciates her personal choice, and private aspirations" it said.

The JPF appealed and strongly supported the arduous struggle of Irom Sharmila against the military law (AFSPA) and the foundation has nothing to say on her personal life.

"We would like to appeal to the people of Manipur and elsewhere not to confuse her personal life and public struggle which has been going on for over a decade" .

"JPF is deeply concerned that the mainstream media often downplay and even malign the movement.

The national media is conspicuous by its silence on matters of supporting and empowering the democratic movement of Irom Shamila", it asserted.

Major mainstream media seemed rather more interested in diluting the struggle even as a wave of democratization movement is sweeping across India, it added.