Anti-AFSPA drive marks Gandhi Jayanti at Delhi
Source: The Sangai Express / Ninglun Hanghal

New Delhi, October 02 2011: , Oct 2 : In a highly significant move, which was pregnant with implications, youths from Manipur and civil society representatives, individuals and students marched to Jantar Mantar here on Gandhi Jayanti day calling yet again for repeal of the controversial AFSPA.

Taking Gandhi "father of the Nation" as an epitome of peace and non-violence, the "Save Democracy " Repeal AFSPA campaign group chose the day as a symbolic beginning of a Nation wide call for an end to AFSPA in Manipur and other parts of North East and India.

A "Save Sharmila " signature campaign will begin from today till December 10, another symbolic day which is International Human Rights Day.

The group also called for support to the struggle of Irom Sharmila.

Supporting the call for repeal of AFSPA and the non-violent struggle of Sharmila, Arvind Gaur , coordinator of ASMITA a theatre group based in Delhi told The Sangai Express that his group through cultural performance were creating awareness on the issue of AFSPA in North India.

Anti-AFSPA campaign at Delhi

He said that October 2, the birth anniversary of Gandhi is a relevant day.

"The Government of India should review and rethink about AFSPA, we are with Irom Sharmila", said Arvind.

The theatre group performed plays and songs during the demonstration today.

Devika, who coordinated the Delhi signature campaign informed that across 20 States in India collection of signature would begin at the same time beginning from 3 pm today and would continue till December 10 .

"We will take out a rally on December 10 from India Gate to Rashtrapati Bhawan and submit the signatures to the President of India" said Devika, a Delhi university student.

"The signature campaign is for Save Sharmila", she added.

The Save Sharmila Campaign demanded that the Government of India initiate a dialogue with Irom Sharmila.

That the Government of India should send an all party delegation to assess the ground situation and to refer the complaints of atrocities on people to NHRC and National Commission for Women for free and fair investigation.