Imphal, November 05: Marking the completion of six years of the protest by Irom Chanu Sharmila demanding removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 from Manipur, people ceased their work for the day and took out torch rallies at night expressing solidarity to the cause.

A mass public meeting held under the aegis of Working Committee of the Apunba Lup at MDU Hall today has also pledged to support Sharmila and carry on with the struggle for total removal of the draconian Act not just from Manipur but from the entire surface of the earth.

Paying their respect to the indomitable will power of the gutsy young lady who has been decorated with the title of Nura Temshingnabi, women vendors stayed away from market places and shop keepers closed down business for the day.

Passengers buses including Inter-district and Inter-State services also stopped plying for the day.


Meira rally being staged to show solidarity to Sharmila who has completed six years of fast against AFSPA

At night people in large number came out from their respective colonies and participated in the torch rallies to show solidarity to Sharmila, who began her fast on November 4, 2000, in protest against the killing of ten civilians at Malom by security personnel.

Though all the market places in the four valley districts of Manipur namely Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur and Thoubal remained shut for the day, sources said that the situation was slightly different in the hill districts where normal business transaction were witnessed.

At Sekmai meira paibis marched from the bazar towards the police station with meiras in their hands.

However the rallyists were dispersed by the police who fired mock bombs and tear gas today evening.

At precisely this moment, meira paibis from Maharabi side also marched towards the police station.

The meira paibis who were earlier dispersed then joined hands with the group coming from Maharabi and staged the rally without any disturbance.

On the other hand, a large number of people who attended a meeting organised by the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup at MDU Hall, Yaiskul Police Lane here have reaffirmed their pledge to stand along with Sharmila in her demand for total removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

The meeting proceeded with senior citizen Dr Lokendra Arambam; Dean of Law Faculty, Gauhati University Dr Naorem Sanajaoba; president of All Manipur Bar Association Khaidem Mani and Dean of Students Welfare, Manipur University Prof W Nabakumar as presidium members.

The meeting also facilitated a open discussion on the report of the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee which was instituted by the Govt of India to review the provisions of Act.

Among those who participated in the discussion, editor of Freedom RK Ranendrajit observed that the attitude of the Govt of India indicate that atrocities on the people of Manipur would continue by the security forces even after AFSPA has been removed.

So apart from extending full support to the total scrapping of the Act , the people should remain alert, he said.

Prof Sanajaoba wondered what hidden agenda the Govt of India might be having behind its unwillingness to do away with Act even after Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has admitted it as inhumane.

Prof Nabakumar said that though legislation is essential for smooth running of a society, but since Act like AFSPA could be misused to wipe out an entire human society by the security forces, it should go away.

He also questioned the rationale behind keep in cold storage the report of the Review Committee by the Govt of India.

Meira paibis also staged a rally from Nambol bazar to Maibam Lokpaching where an Army post is stationed.

At Bishnupur bazar, meira paibis also staged a torch rally today evening.

At JNU, Delhi a photo exhibition was organised by the Manipur Students' Association, Delhi.

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