NERIST students back Irom Sharmila's campaign
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 12 2011: NERIST Manipur Students' Union organised a sit-in-protest demanding that the life of anti-AFSPA crusader Irom Sharmila be saved at Nirjuli town of Arunachal Pradesh yesterday.

A signature campaign was also conducted in support of Sharmila's cause, said a statement.

Around 700 people comprising of Arunachali people, faculties and staff of NERIST and students representing NERIST Tripura Students' Association (NTSA), Sikkim Students Association of NERIST (SSAN), NERIST Mizo Zirlai Pawl (NMZP), NERIST All-India Student Association (NAISA), NERIST Arunachal Pradesh Students Association (NAPSA) and Students Union of NERIST (SUN) took part in the sit-in-protest.

The participating faculty members, students and individuals came out in support of Irom Sharmila, and addressed the gathering.

Many highlighted the unfortunate incident of Thangjam Manorama and how AFSPA was used as a shield to protect the guilty Army personnel.

Fruitful discussions and voluntary speeches from students and faculties were part of the campaign.

The meeting observed that AFSPA denies individual security and the Central Government has been like a step mother to NE States.

The gathering strongly condemned the indifferent attitude of the Central Government regarding repealing or redrafting of AFSPA, despite the recommendations made by Justice Jeevan Reddy Commission.

The Commission was set up to advise the Government, but it failed to accept its recommendations.

This is a mockery of the rights of the citizen, the meeting observed.

It further pointed out that the Second Administrative Reforms Commission in its 5th Report of 2007 has also recommended the repeal of the AFSPA.

The gathering also strongly condemned the stepmotherly treatment of the Central Government towards the North East States, Manipur in particular.

The Centre has failed to notice Irom Sharmila's movement who has been fasting for the last 11 years, the meeting observed.

Those who were present at the sit-in-protest pledged to spread Sharmila's cause wherever they move and would fight for the repeal of AFSPA.

The gathering also decided to put in effort to give a normal life to Irom Sharmila.

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