Nov 2, 2000 : Anti-AFSPA Campaign Continues To Sustain; Tributes paid to Chittaranjan, Irom Sharmila
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 02 2012: In commemoration of Irom Sharmila completing the 12th year of her crusade against the infamous Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, fitting tributes were paid today to the living legend as well as Pebam Chittaranjan who attained martyrdom after self-immolating himself for the same cause.

The solemn function held at Bishnupur Keithel under the aegis of Apunba Nupi Lup, Bishnupur started by offering floral tributes to Pebam Chittaranjan.

This was followed by a public meeting.

Irom Sharmila, shaken by the massacre of 10 innocent people at Malom by Assam Rifles troops on November 2, 2000, launched her unparalleled campaign against AFSPA which gives extraordinary powers to security forces and enable them to kill people at will with full impunity.

In the aftermath of the gruesome rape and murder of Thangjam Manorama, again by AR troops in the intervening night of July 10 and 11, 2004, a massive and sustained civil movement was launched in Manipur.

Tributes paid to the memory of late Chittaranjan

In the course of this historic movement, Pebam Chittaranjan, demanding abolition of AFSPA, self-immolated on August 15 which significantly is the Independence Day of India.

Today's commemorative function was attended by Chittaranjan's mother Pebam (O) Sorojini, Sharmila's elder brother Irom Shinghajit, Imphal Free Press resident Editor Irengbam Arun, Assistant Prof Chinglen Maisnam, Dr Oinam Kullabidhu, author of Sharmila Mission for Peace, Bishnupur Municipal Council Chairperson Laishram Nolindro and president of the Apunba Nupi Lup Bishnupur Lourembam Nganbi.

Addressing the gathering, Irom Shinghajit while observing that there is no family in who have not bore the brunt of AFSPA, called upon all the people to struggle collectively for complete repeal of AFSPA from Manipur.

"People thought that my son to be mentally unsound but it was not true.

Chittaranjan was always worried for the downtrodden and deprived.

Only I knew his thoughts and concerns", said Pebam Sorojini about his heroic son.

It was his real concern for the mass which enabled him to self-immolate and sacrifice his life for the mass.

"To realise the common goal of Chittaranjan and Sharmila, our people need to be united for a collective struggle", Sorojini asserted.

Irengbam Arun remarked that AFSPA is not a law which can be enforced among mankind.

It always poses a threat to the most fundamental human rights.

Both Sharmila and Chittaranjan deserve the highest honour for their selfless and unprecedented struggle against the draconian law, Arun said.

Chinglen Maisnam said that students should not concentrate only on learning and gathering knowledge but also work to bring changes in the society.

But there cannot be any changes without struggle.

For any selfless struggle for common good, one can always look up to Sharmila and Chittaranjan.

There are many people in Manipur who have been raking moolahs by capitalising on continued imposition AFSPA and Manipur being conflict zone.

It has become all the more imperative to bring certain changes so that people fully enjoy their rights away from the shadow of AFSPA.

To bring about such a change, it needs a massive and sustained struggle, Dr Chinglen added.

Today's function also featured an exhibition of photographs captured by students of Assam Art College during their conversation with different persons about AFSPA.

A similar commemorative function was also held at Malom Lamkhai where floral tributes were paid to the victims of Malom Massacre.