Irom Sharmila urges titular king to 'awaken' people
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 01 2016: Irom Chanu Sharmila has urged titular king of Manipur, Leishemba Sanajaoba to awaken the people for a mass campaign against AFSPA.

On the second day of her indefinite hunger strike, Sharmila expressed her desire to meet the titular king.

After the message was forwarded to Leishemba Sanajaoba, the titular king came to Shahid Minar (BT Park) to meet the marathon hunger striker at around 3 pm.

During their interaction that lasted for around 30 minutes, Sharmila urged Leishemba Sanajaoba to awaken the people of Manipur for a mass campaign against draconian AFSPA.

Many people including womenfolk, students and volunteers of CSOs are taking part at Sharmila's stir currently underway at Shahid Minar.

Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West ordered her release from judicial custody rejecting the charge of Section 309 levelled against the anti-AFSPA campaigner yesterday.

Soon after her release, Sharmila continued her indefinite hunger strike with her supporters at Shahid Minar.

Leishemba Sanajaoba said that no individual or organisation must use Sharmila's campaign for their personal gains.

Instead, they must support Sharmila with heart and soul, he observed.

Former president and general secretary of Manipur Students' Association Delhi (MSAD) also turned up at Shahid Minar and handed over more than 500 hand written post cards of different students and teachers who have pledged support to Sharmila's cause.

Sharmila appealed to the students to demonstrate their strength collectively and press the Government to repeal AFSPA.

Maintaining that voice of the people is the voice of God, Sharmila said that the demand would be fulfilled only when people press it in one voice.

Saying that it is the right time to launch a mass agitation as she has been released from the judicial custody, Sharmila urged the students to rise in protest against AFSPA collectively.

MSAD volunteers said that they have intensified their campaign to support Sharmila's cause from last year.

They said that they have collected hundreds of hand written post cards from various students and teachers who wish to support the Iron Lady.

All these post cards have been handed over to Sharmila to encourage her today, they said.

Although a medical team came to Shahid Minar two times at around 10.30 am and 4.30 pm today, Sharmila refused to get her health checked.

She warned the medical team that they can't examine her health without her consent.

Dr Anjana of the medical team said that Sharmila has started showing signs of dehydration and her internal organs would be affected if she continues fasting.

On the other hand, a large number of people turned up at Shahid Minar to meet Sharmila.

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