Irom Sharmila’s political campaign gains momentum
Imphal, November 3 2016
Irom Sharmila’s political campaign gains momentum
A public meeting was organized at Malom Community Hall after the floral tribute to the departed souls of the 10 victims of Malom Massacre on 2nd Nov. The meeting was attended by families of the victim, youths, elders and various activists.
During the meeting Irom Sharmila while delivering her speech said that she continued her fast after the incident and continued for 16 years with a sole aim of repealing the act which empowered the army to kill people even on the ground of suspicion. She said that since the government has turn a deaf ear to her nonviolent struggle, she choose to fight with a new rigor and justice determining approach of restoring real democracy through political means.
banner of Ten4Change
Under the banner of Ten4Change, the PRJA volunteers kept a donation box during the public meeting at Malom Bazar Community Hall and people in large came to support the initiative by donating Rs 10 each.
A victim’s family of the Malom Massacre donated Rs 2000 for the political journey of Irom Sharmila in delivering the rightful justice to all citizens of Manipur. While delivering a speech to the people gathered at the community hall, Irom Sharmila said that everyone should come out to participate in the struggle to claim their democratic right which is exploited in the State at different levels.
She further said that it is not the time for reluctance for it will only be like a condition where we allow ourselves to be exploited. She said that every citizen of the State should play a role in claiming their rights without delay. She also said that it is a big effort in the individual level in trying to bring a change to the State.
She also alleged that the concern governments do not want to lift AFSPA as there is a transaction of Rs 500 crore annually for maintenance of the Act. Even the disturb area tag under which AFSPA is imposed was not based on people’s mandate but carried out under the whims of the Governor, State Government and Central Government.
Even the Supreme Court has claimed that AFSPA is irrelevant in terms of counter insurgency. Irom claimed that the disturbed area tag is kept to keep armies in Manipur and North Eastern States as it borders with China and Bangladesh which has a history of armed warfare with India. Irom also said that the North East appeared only as a buffer State to India and is being used as a shield to protect the rest of India and its Citizen.
* This Press Release was sent to e-pao.net by Peoptes Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) who can be contacted at sharmila4change(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This Press Release was posted on November 03 2016
* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.