Irom Sharmila Chanu honoured with 'Eche' title
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 10 2013 :
On the occasion of International Women's Day, Save Democracy Repeal AFSPA Group (SDRAG), unanimously decided to honour champion of human rights movement and anti-AFSPA crusader Irom Chanu Sharmila with the title "Eche", which can be literally translated into "Elder Sister" for being the symbol of resistance to human rights violations and being a sisterly figure in igniting hope to the oppressed people under the regime of AFSPA.
SDRAG, which was formed on 17th September, 2011 by a group of students, professors and people committed to the cause of repealing AFSPA, have been campaigning consistently in Delhi and other parts of India and abroad.
In continuation of its campaign, the group would undertake a candle light vigil on March 12 from G.T.B.Nagar to Arts Faculty, Delhi University starting at 6 pm.
The event is being organised as a mark of extending full solidarity to "Eche" who will be released on the same day.
Announcing this in a joint statement signed by its two Central Co-ordinators namely Ningthoujam Chandrakumar and Tony Naorem, SDRAG also saluted the people of Manipur and around the world and various martyrs who in their own capacities have brought the anti-AFSPA movement to new heights.
"From various people, students' and Meira Paibi movements to the self-immolation of Pebam Chittaranjan; from the historic nude protest at Kangla Gate to the iconic hunger strike of Irom Sharmila, the fight continues.
But the Indian State is still unmoved.
Through its policy of "Wait-and-Watch", the government has tried to intimidate the people's faith in the effectiveness of democratic movements.
It is time that we raise our voice together and let the government realize that we, as a people, would never submit to state aggression and violence", the joint statement said.
It also appealed to all the people of Manipur including the civil society organizations to light up candles at all places on the day of her release as a mark of solidarity to 'Eche' and for the repeal of AFSPA.
"Let us extend the "timely support" that 'Eche' has sought and bring the fight to a whole new level", SDRAG exhorted.