Irom Sharmila calls for mass movement
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 21 2014: A day after she walked free from the special security ward of JN Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Irom Chanu Sharmila, who has been on a fast for nearly 14 years now demanding repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958, visited the historic Ima Keithel here today and sought the blessings from Keithel Lairembi (goddess) .

On getting wind of Sharmila's visit, a large numbers of women vendors of the market ceased their normal trading activities and waited eagerly to greet her.

Accompanied by her followers, Sharmila came in a car at around 2.30 am.

Just as the car slowed down, the gathering women vendors shouted slogans like ''Save Sharmila's life'', ''Repeal AFSPA from the State'', ''Long live Manipur'' etc.

When she stepped out of the car, women vendors put garlands around her neck.

Irom Sharmila calls for mass movement

Touched by the warm welcome, tears were seen rolling down from the eyes of Sharmila, who later on went to worship the Keithel Lairembi along with the women vendors. Sharmila also participated in a sit-in protest at the market for around 10 minutes demanding repeal of AFSPA from Manipur.

From Ima Keithel, Sharmila went to Manipur Press Club here along with several leaders of civil society organisations, human rights activists and members of Sharmila Kanba Lup.

Speaking to mediapersons there, Sharmila said that blessing given to her by the Imas have strengthened her struggle and said that the time has come for people to understand the need for repealing AFSPA under which numerous crimes and human rights violations are committed by security forces in the name of counter insurgency.

Sharmila said that the demand for repealing AFSPA is not for her personal interest but for the people of the State as a whole and called upon the people to extend full support to the demand.

''The demand will be fulfilled if we join hand and fight together.

Let me have the full support and let me also have daily meals like any other normal person.

Repeal of AFSPA from Manipur will be a reality if all of us fight together," said an emotional Sharmila with tears coming down from her eyes.

Lauding the order of the court which has ruled that law will no longer see her as a criminal, Sharmila said her release from judicial custody has clearly shown that her struggle is legitimate.

Sharmila also expressed unhappiness over some reports that say that she was trying to popularize her name in the name of fasting against AFSPA.

Exuding confidence that the present NDA Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will repeal the draconian Act from Manipur without taking much time, Sharmila expressed her desire to personnally meet Modi to remind him of the poll promises made including revocation of AFSPA.

Sharmila also appealed to the people to stage protest to demand for repeal of AFSPA simultaneously with the ongoing demand for implementation of Inner Line Permit System in the State.