Adivasi Ratna award to Sharmila
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 03 2011:
Irom Chanu Sharmila has been conferred the Adivasi Ratna Award in recognition of her unwavering over 10 year old crusade against the Armed Forces (Special Powers)
Act 1958 .
The award was handed over to Sharmila's elder brother Irom Singhajit who is also managing trustee of the Just Peace Foundation during the All India Indigenous Peoples Grand Assembly held from March 28 to 30 at Talkotara Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.
The award was handed over to Singhajit by Meghalaya Governor RS Munshahari.
The award consists of a shawl and a memento.
Speaking at the award presentation ceremony, convenor of the All India Indigenous Peoples Grand Assembly, Jethna Ram Munshahari said that the award was being conferred to Irom Sharmila for her unsurpassed struggle for human rights.
Sharmila's more than 10 year old crusade was not for any particular community but for universal human rights, Jethna Ram said.
Speaking to media persons near JNIMS complex where a relay hunger was being staged in solidarity to Sharmila's campaign, Irom Singhajit said that more and more people of India were becoming aware of his sister's struggle unlike in the past when only Manipur, the Northeastern States and some people of mainland India noticed her campaign.
The extensive recognition being received by Sharmila has brought her many steps nearer to victory, Singhajit said.
Sharmila Kanba Lup convenor S Momonleima said that all the people of Manipur have been living under perpetual threat from AFSPA.
By conferring the Adivasi Ratna Award to Sharmila, indigenous people of India have shown their support to Sharmila and her campaign, Momonleima asserted.