Nation wide anti-AFSPA drive to start
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 05 2013:
In solidarity to Irom Sharmila's 12 year old crusade against Armed Forced (Special Powers) Act, a Nation wide anti-AFSPA campaign would be launched from March 8 to 14 .
The National Alliance for People's Movement, Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign and Sharmila Kanba Lup will be taking the main responsibility of organising the campaign.
Human right organisations, social activists and youth activists belonging to different parts of the country would also form parts of the campaign.
Speaking to media persons about the national campaign today at the office of Sharmila Kanba Lup, coordinator of the National Alliance for People's Movement Faisal Khan demanded that the Government of India acknowledge Irom Sharmila's 12 year old crusade against AFSPA and repeal the infamous Act without any further delay.
He said that Government of Manipur has denied them any opportunity to meet Sharmila even though they have approached the State Government five times for permission to meet the Iron Lady.
Nonetheless, in the course of the proposed National campaign, a delegation comprising 15 to 20 members 'will meet' Sharmila at Imphal on March 13 .
The delegation would certainly approach the Government of Manipur in advance for permission to meet Sharmila.
But this time, the delegation would certainly meet Sharmila regardless of whether the Government of Manipur gives permission or not, Faisal Khan said.
The delegation would include members from Jammu and Kashmir, Odissa, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand etc.
Faisal Khan stated that more and more people need to support Irom Sharmila unparalleled struggle against draconian Act.
March 8 on which the national campaign would be launched is International Women's Day and March 14 on which the campaign would be closed is the birthday of Irom Sharmila, said Sharmila Kanba Lup co-convenor Momon Leima.
She also appealed for mass support to the proposed nation-wide anti-AFSPA campaign.