Sit-in protests held across India
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 02 2015: As a mark of support to the 15 years long hunger strike of Irom Sharmila, North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) on Monday staged sit in protest and hunger strike at Jantar Mantar against Armed Forces Special Power Act.

In a statement, NEFIS Convener Chinglen Khumukcham said that NEFIS members, North East students and representatives from various progressive and democratic organizations condemned the enforcement of the long abused Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) .

Eminent Human Rights Activist, Babloo Loitongbam and Women Rights Activist Maya John also participated in the protest.

Babloo Loitongbam highlighted the "dastardly way" in which Indian State continues to justify AFSPA and force-feed Irom Sharmila citing reasons of prevention of suicide.

Maya John termed AFSPA a draconian law which serves just as a ploy to curb the democratic rights of people in so-called 'Disturbed' regions without any compunctions or fear of being implicated in a judicial probe.

AFSPA has been condemned nationally and internationally by all democratic and justice loving people.

Even certain government-appointed commissions and human rights organisations have pressed for the withdrawal of the Act.

The continued enforcement of the Act has ensured continued protests.

Sit-in protests and twelve-hour hunger strike was also held in other cities including Delhi, Gwalior, Bangalore, Chandigarh and Kokrajhar in Assam.

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