Irom Sharmila completes 12 years of fast against AFSPA
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 02 2012:
Along with Irom Chanu Sharmila completing 12 years of fasting over the public demand for withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur today, Bishnupur Apunba Nupi Lup remembered the day as 'Chittaranjan na Thawaigee Pontha Pikhiba amadi Irom Chanu Sharmila na Chahi Taranithoi Chara Hel-lakpa' .
Pebam Chittaranjan committed self immolation and died on August 14, 2004 over the demand for repeal of AFSPA.
To mark the occasion, a public meeting held at Yangoi Ningthou Yangoi Leima Shanglen, Bishnupur bazaar in Bishnupur district today where a photo exhibition dislaying images of human rights violation under AFSPA was put up.
Later, a peaceful rally was taken out till the spot where Chittaranjan committed self immolation.
Participating in the meeting, Dr Chinglen Meisnam, Asst.
Prof of Department of Economics, MU, said that all the present day leaders in Manipur are fit to be garlanded only but none is fit to be honoured.
He said that those leaders who do not think for their own land are akin to death and alleged that though the people have all along stood against AFSPA, some leaders do not want to repeal the Act for the simple reason that they are being benefitted from prolong imposition of AFSPA.
These political leaders made promises time and again in their election manifestos during the time of election that they would work hard to withdraw AFSPA from the State but they have remained mute, he charged.
He also alleged that the State Government is gulping huge amount of money given by the Centre by telling the latter that development works are hindered by militancy.
Irengbam Arun, Resident Editor of Imphal Free Press observed that the silence maintained by the Government of India over the 12-year long hunger strike by Sharmila clearly indicates that the Government is ignoring non-violence.
He maintained that the movement launched by Sharmila is purely a part of the non-violence movement spearheaded by Mahatma Gandhi.
The security forces and police in Manipur are carrying out the task of the law courts so partly withdrawal or making changes of AFSPA is not necessary at all but it should be completely withdrawn from the State, he demanded.
A peaceful rally participated by around hundred people was also taken out from Yangoi Ningthou Yangoi Leima Shanglen and culminated at the spot where Chittaranjan committed by self immolation to pay homage to the departed soul.
The event was attended by Laishram Nolindro, Chairperson of Bishnupur Municipal Council and N Nganbi, President of Bishnupur Apunba Nupi Lup as presidium members.
Dr Oinam Kulabidhu, author of "Sharmila- Messenger of Peace" also spoke on the occasion.
Meanwhile, families of the 10 innocent people who were killed in Malom massacre paid floral tribute to the victims at Malom Bus Waiting Shed.
The Malom massacre took place on November 2, 2000 when security force personnel opened indiscriminate firing.
Irom Chanu Sharmila started her fast on this day to demand of withdrawal of AFSPA from Manipur.
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