Irom Sharmila's fast enters 15th year : Many stage dharnas to extend solidarity
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 05 2014:
As Irom Sharmila entered the 15th year of fast demanding the repeal of AFSPA 1958 from the State today, sit in protests were held at different places of the State demanding the repeal of AFSPA 1958 from the State and to show solidarity to Sharmila and her cause.
The demonstrations joined by students, members of civil society organisations and activists from different places of India and abroad today demanded an end to violence by security forces against civilians under the cover of AFSPA 1958 .
The protesters also demanded the repeal of the Act from other NE States and Jammu and Kashmir.
Irom Sharmila has been on fast demanding the repeal of AFSPA since Nov 5, 2000 after ten civilians were killed by security forces at Malom.
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The demonstrators demanded that violence against civilians, illegal detention, forced disappearance, raping women and other atrocities committed by security personnel with impunity under AFSPA be put to a stop.
Instead of repealing AFSPA even after completion of 14 years of fast by Irom Sharmila, she has been nose-fed at JNIMS Security Ward on the pretext of saving her life, the protesters alleged.
Just Peace Foundation, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, Bangkok, May 18 Foundation, Human Rights Alert, Apunba Manipur Matam Eshei Kanglup jointly organised a hunger strike at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound today.
Four awardees of Gwangju Award also took part in the demonstration.
Several activists from different places of India and abroad including Executive Director of PVCHR, Leain Raghuvanshi, National Vice-president Vinayak Sen, founder Chairman of INSEC Sushil Raj, Coordinator of Urban Poor Consortium, Wardah Hafidy took part in the demonstration.
Pledging to show solidarity to Sharmila and her cause at the international and National levels, the participants decried that the Govt of India continue to violate the democratic rights of its citizens.
At the same time, Sharmila Kanba Lup staged a hunger strike at Porompat to demand repeal of AFSPA and save Sharmila.
The protesters called all the 60 MLAs of the State Assembly to come to their senses and support the demand to repeal AFSPA from the State.
Similar protest was also held at Ananda Hr Secondary School, TG Higher Secondary School and CC Higher Sec School.