Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 29 2009:
Asserting that the Government which does no pay any heed to the voice of the people was not a representative Government, agitators taking part in the relay hunger strike being staged with the demand of saving Sharmila's life have denounced the alleged total indifference of the State Government towards the long standing issue.
On the 141st day of relay hunger strike being staged under the aegis of the Sharmila Kanba Lup at Porompat, activists of the Senjam Chirang Kounu Leima Chanura Meira Paibi showed their solidarity to Sharmila by taking part in the strike.
Speaking by the sideline of the protest agitation, secretary of the Senjam Chirang Kounu Leima Chanura Meira Paibi, Laishram Punimashi said that Irom Sharmila has been fasting unto death for the last eight years while the people of Manipur have undertaken several movements and campaigns to repeal the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 .
Observing that the relay hunger strike being staged in solidarity to Sharmila's cause has completed 140 days, Punimashi said that the parallel relay hunger strike being staged in Thoubal has also completed 84 days.
However, despite all these sustained campaign and agitation in pursuit of the people's common wish, the State Government refusing to listen to the people's long standing demand.
Rather, the Government has been instrumental for the daily killings without bothering to put up the victims for trial, she alleged.
Another Meira Paibi activist observed people are being killed at will on daily basis.
Voicing the people's wish to end such ruthless and senseless killings, she appealed to both the Government and insurgents to put a halt to such internecine killings.
Noting that the people of Manipur have been suffering to the limit, she appealed to both the parties (Government and insurgents) to find a solution.
The relay hunger strike was launched on December 10 last year which was significantly the International Human Rights Day.
Pursuing the same demand to repeal AFSPA and to save the life of Sharmila, there have been street corner meetings and poster campaigns across the State.
Similar street corner meeting and poster campaign were also organised in Kakching area today.
In Thoubal district, the relay hunger strike was staged at Salungpham
Bazar.