Govt slams Irom Sharmila door on rallyists
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 27 2011: The 4,500 km long Srinagar to Imphal Jan Karvan march, which was flagged off on October 16 by social activist Medha Patkar in Srinagar reached here today.

The march was taken part by a team of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign comprising of 25 activists including eight women from 12 States.

The intention of the rallyists to meet Sharmila tomorrow has however been nipped at the bud with the Government refusing to give the permission to meet the hunger striker.

To lodge their protest against the decision of the Government, a one-day hunger strike will be staged in honour of Sharmila tomorrow.

A large number of people, including representatives from different social organisations, welcomed the team on their arrival at North AOC this morning.

Members of the Jan Karvan on arriving at Imphal being received

Later, a peace rally was taken out from North AOC to Kongpal, birth place of Irom Sharmila.

Shouting save Sharmila and anti-AFSPA slogans, the rally passed through Minuthong, Hatta Golapti, New Checkon crossing and reached Porompat to move towards JNIMS, where Sharmila is lodged under custody.

However, a team of Imphal East district police blocked the rallyists at Porompat crossing and diverted them to DC Office complex to reach Amateur Athletic Association (AAA) complex and a public meeting was organised there.

Imphal East district police made adequate security arrangements throughout the rally and at AAA complex.

The rallyists shouted slogans like, 'Save Sharmila', 'We do not want bullets', 'We are one', 'Repeal AFSPA', 'We support Sharmila' .

On the sidelines of the meeting, Faisal Khan a rallyist from Kashmir, said that attack on Save Sharmila campaigners in Delhi happened due to misunderstanding.

However, the matter was resolved after a thorough deliberation, he added.

Expressing optimism on Sharmila's movement, Faisal Khan said that her campaign would succeed.

He added that anti-AFSPA movement would be successful if the people of the whole country campaign against the draconian Act.