Imphal, December 10 2009: The Sharmila Kanba Lup (SAKAL) has commemorated completion of one year of the relay hunger strike it launched in solidarity to Sharmila's nine year old campaign for repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 from all over Manipur.

The commemorative function held today at GM Hall was graced by SAKAL co-convenors Keisam Taruni and Janaki as presidium members.

Human rights activist Kim Gangte, Advocate Puyam Tomcha, Editor of the Aja daily Valley Rose and others addressed the gathering.

Puyam Tomcha alleged that the State Government has been receiving huge amounts from New Delhi for imposing AFSPA in the name of the insurgency movement.

Imposing AFSPA as a way of earning huge incomes is one reason for reluctance of the State Government to repeal the Act.

Quoting a top Assam Rifles official who reportedly said a few months back that all insurgents have been drove out from Manipur, Tomcha asked why AFSPA was still imposed in the State when all insurgents have been drove out.

Even as State Police are not encompassed by AFSPA, police have been freely exercising the powers guaranteed by the infamous Act.

This was well testified by the July 23 Khwairamband killings, he asserted.

Not only Ministers and ruling MLAs, even opposition MLAs have failed to act in line with the pulse of the people.

Under such circumstances, the onus of securing the well being of the people lies with the people themselves.

Chief Minister O Ibobi knew that AFSPA could not suppress the insurgency movement but the Act was also used in silencing social activists, he alleged.

Tomcha asserted that it was important to ascertain whether New Delhi took note or not of the existing situation in Manipur.

Saying that Sharmila's campaign is not for personal cause, he called upon all the people to join the campaign together.

Valley Rose said that AFSPA imposed at the first place to tackle Naga insurgency had caused deaths to many a great number of Naga people.

Despite the huge casualty, a solution still eludes the issue.

The infamous Act was also the cause for outraging many women.

Even as different international groups and foreign countries have acknowledged and voiced support to the Sharmila's cause and the campaign itself, the Government of India as well as the State Government have been putting up totally indifferent attitude, Valley Rose said.

Such attitude of the State and New Delhi is nothing but open invitation to the public for a massive civil movement, she said.

The present situation of Manipur appeared as if Chief Minister O Ibobi and his council of Ministers have wrested complete control over the State.

Other MLAs have also been witnessing silently to what these few Ministers have been doing.

The State Government is spending big amounts in nose feeding Irom Chanu Sharmila not because they love Manipur but out of fear for a third Nupi Lan in case Sharmila dies, Valley Rose asserted.

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