Welcomes verdict acquitting Irom Sharmila
31st March, 2016
NEFIS WELCOMES VERDICT ACQUITTING IROM SHARMILA! STRUGGLE AGAINST AFSPA CONTINUES!
CONDEMNS POLICE RESTRAINING SHARMILA FROM ADDRESSING THE GATHERING!
MASSIVE SOLIDARITY MEETING HELD OUSIDE MANIPUR HOUSE FOR IROM SHARMILA’S RELEASE AND FREEDOM FROM AFSPA!
North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) welcomes the decision of Metropolitan Magistrate, acquitting Irom Sharmila in 2006 case. However, the struggle against the AFSPA law will continue, till it is revoked. It should be noted that NEFIS had organized a solidarity meeting in support of Irom Sharmila and for freedom from Armed Forces Special Powers Act(AFSPA), on 30th March, 2016(Wednesday) at Manipur House, where Irom Sharmila has been made to stay. Irom Sharmila has been denied freedom for standing against the draconian AFSPA, for more than 15 years. The solidarity meeting was organized to protest against this Act which has been used to brutally suppress the democratic rights of the people, as well as in support of Irom Sharmila’s release.
People and students from different communities and regions of the North-East gathered outside Manipur House to meet Sharmila, but were denied permission by the police. Irom Sharmila, who wanted to address the gathering, was brought to New Delhi for her appearance before the Metropolitan Magistrate, Patiala House Court with an ongoing trial against her before the Court for staging hunger strike protest at Jantar Mantar in 2006. It should be known that the activist is continuing her 15-year hunger strike but says it is not a fast unto death. She says she will fast till the Armed Forces Special Powers Act or AFSPA is revoked.
The law gives soldiers sweeping powers to arrest or interrogate people in "disturbed areas" or states dealing with separatists or insurgents. Declarations of the committee appointed by the Supreme Court in April 2013 that fake encounters happened in Manipur have affirmed facts that we have all known for very long, about the nature of this brutal act. Sharmila began her fast in November 2000, days after 10 people, including two children, were shot dead in Imphal, by Assam Rifles soldiers. Three days later, she was charged with attempt to suicide and arrested.
NEFIS believes that by denying the right to rule of law, the Indian state has kept North-East people relegated to the status of second class citizen in the country that claims itself to be the world’s largest democracy. We demand immediate release of Irom Sharmila and revoking of Armed Forces Special Power Act(AFSPA).
Chinglen Khumukcham
Convener
North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS)
Email: nefis(DOT)delhi(AT)gmail(DOT)com
* This Press Release was sent to e-pao.net by North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) who can be contacted at nefis(DOT)delhi(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This Press Release was posted on April 1 2016
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