Guwahati, February 06: In continuation of the street corner campaign being undertaken by the AFSPA Temshingnabi Chanu Sharmila Khongjang Shougat Lup under the aegis of the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup, street corner meetings were held at different places along Mayai Lambi today along with shouting of slogans like "Sharmila campaign is justified", "Repeal AFSPA from Manipur", "Save Sharmila" etc.

Such meetings were held at Wabgai Lamkhai, Sekmaijing Bazar, Mayang Imphal Bazar, Thongkhong Laxmi Bazar and Wangoi Bazar today.

Speaking at the meetings, activist of the Apunba Lup Ibethoi ridiculed the promises of different political parties and their candidates to repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958. She asked them as to why did not act in this regard when they were in power.

Noting that the health of Sharmila has deteriorated very much, she observed that Sharmila can be saved only if AFSPA is repealed from the State through a massive and intense movement by all the people of Manipur.

Barely three years after the Act was enforced in the entire State, 13 innocent people watching a volleyball match were slaughtered at Heirangoithong in 1983 by security forces.

Again in 1987, 10 villagers were gunned down after subjecting them to severe torture and forcing them to dig their own graves in Senapati, Ibethoi recalled.

Reminding that numerous lives have been put to end, many others maimed for life and many women raped by security forces under the impunity guaranteed by AFSPA, she called upon the people to launch a concerted movement to abolish the draconian Act.

Naming AICC president Sonia Gandhi, the Apunba Lup activist decried the visit of the Congress leader whose primary purpose was to garner votes for her party while she never bothered to pay a visit when the State was in turmoil and facing crucial moments.

Castigating the claims of central political leaders of honouring women's rights, Ibethoi, who is also the president of Salai Apunba Nupi Lup, asked as to why these political leaders are maintaining conspicuous silence over the years on Sharmila who has been fasting for the last six years.

Another activist of the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup Tharaksana observed that the people of Manipur should not be complacent at the number of National political leaders paying visit to the State at the time of elections.

Asserting that the assurances of different political parties to repeal AFSPA from Manipur is an act of open deceit on the people, Tharaksana questioned as to why people have been made to suffer under the inhuman Act all these years if they are sincere enough to repeal the Act.

Saying that the long standing demand to repeal AFSPA from the State can be fulfilled only when all the people stand up united against the Act, she called upon the people to unite and stand firm against the Act so that the younger generations are spared the atrocity committed under the Army Act.

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