NEFIS extends wishes to Irom Sharmila
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 27 2016:
North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) has extended best wishes to Irom Sharmila, who has decided to put an end to her epic fast.
In a statement, NEFIS said that Irom Sharmila has done her part to address the issue and her sacrifice will always be remembered.
But now, the time has arrived to launch a mass movement for removal of AFSPA.
Irom Sharmila began her fast as a mark of protest against AFSPA, the provisions of which have been used by the Indian Army to use draconian measures including killings and encounters, against Indian people.
The Act gives soldiers sweeping powers to arrest or interrogate people in "disturbed areas" or States dealing with separatists or insurgents.
Despite the fact that Irom Sharmila's fast was one of the most peaceful modes of resistance; the Indian Government remained apathetic towards the plight of its own people and continues to perpetrate brutalities upon them, it said.
"There is, however, a misgiving arising among people that Irom Sharmila's decision to withdraw her fast and enter electoral politics will jeopardize the movement against AFSPA.
NEFIS believes that everyone is free to chalk out one's strategy and wishes her the best," it said.
"But we also believe that the electoral politics will not yield any gains for the movement.
The struggle should be taken ahead by the masses.
Therefore, the need of the hour is to unleash a massive people's movement against AFSPA," it added.
The scrapping of this draconian Act, as the final aim of the struggle will remain, it added.