Save Irom Sharmila Jan Karwan reached Imphal
- Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign -

27 October 2011

Save Irom Sharmila Jan Karwan at Imphal

Today dated 27th October , Srinagar to Imphal Save Sharmila Jan Karwan reached Imphal after covering 4500 Km. journey. The karwan was organized by Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign, which is an initiative of various social organizations & movements and campaigning for Irom Sharmila in various parts of India.

The karwan that is already covered 10 states during its journey, was started from Srinagar on 16th October after flagged off by Medha Patkar, Dr. Sandeep Pandey & Irom Singhjit. The karwan organized programs in Srinagar, Jammu, Ludhiana, Karnal, Panipat, Delhi, Aligarh, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Patna, Ranchi, Kolkata, Guwahati and finally Imphal. Various programs such as public meetings, press meets, pampahlet distribution, seminars etc was organized during these journey.

After reaching Imphal today, all 25 members were welcomed by hundreds of activists and people of Manipur. Karwan members along with all Manipuri people marched on Imphal roads and shouted slogans related to peace and justice. Slogans used were Goli Nahi Boli Chahiye (We want talk, not bullets), Irom Sharmila Ka Satygrah Zindabaad etc.

Members of the karwan came from various parts of India including women activists from Gujrat and Maharashtra. After march on Imphal roads, karwan reached at Library block of Amateur Athletic Association, where a public meeting was organized. Karwan members including local activists addressed the public.

Faisal Khan, the key organizer of the campaign during his address to public told that the journey faced many difficulties during these 12 days but members of karwan were so enthusiastic that they get victory over everything only by their will. He added that campaign has already organized various other programs at various places to generate public opinion. Our main objective is to spread awareness about Irom’s cause because it is necessary to tell the cause to general public who are unaware about this great iron lady. Violence in any form cannot be recommended.

Satya Prakash Bharat, a renowned activist of Yuva Bharat told that AFSPA is a spot on democratic values because it violates basic human rights. Santosh Upadhyaya, who is working for prisoners rights told that now the sharmila’s voice can be felt in various parts of country after this campaign. Mahendra Sonawane, who came from Pune told that people here enlighten the hope in our hearts also.

Illa Pathak, who is a senior activist and came from Gujrat told that it is a matter of shame that our government provided a toy in hands of security personals by which they play with lives. This special powers should not be allowed to them , it is so painful that government here is fighting with his own countrymen. Mukta Srivastava told that the face of Gandhi and his tool of non violence is still living in Irom. She is great daughter of country who is fighting for a cause, for the people, for the democracy.

Other members who were there in karwan includes Gufran Khan, Ravi Nitesh & Qamar Intekhab from Delhi, Shabbir, Ghulam Mohammad, Gorsi, Sarwar from J&K, Shehnaz, Memuna, Sama , Meenakshi, Bilal Kagzi from Gujrat, Guddi Behan from Maharashtra, Balwant Yadav from Himachal Pradesh, Suresh Bhai from U.P. were available.

Campaign decided that if tomorrow the administration will not allow the karwan member to meet with Irom, then all members will observe one day hunger strike here in front of Jawahar lal Nehru Hospital, where Irom is detained in security ward.

Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign has already organized various other activities to generate public support for Irom’s cause. Campaign has already launched Nationwide Signature Program on 02nd October to highlight the issue and to get support. Signature Campaign is still running and will end on 10th December. Campaign demanded with government to initiate positive steps of talk and to send all party delegation to meet Irom and people of Manipur.

Regards
Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign
E-mail: savesharmila(at)gmail(dot)com
Blog: www.repealafspa.blogspot.com