Senior Citizens calls for saving Irom Sharmila's life
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 07 2014:
Pointing out that life of Irom Sharmila who has been on a fast since the last 14 years demanding repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 from the State should be saved at any cost, the Senior Citizens for Society has urged the government to exert pressure on Central Government to repeal the draconian AFSPA from the State at the earliest.
Addressing a press meet here at Manipur Press Club, advocate Khaidem Mani, secretary of Senior Citizens for Society strongly condemned the re-arrest of Sharmila just few days after she was released by an order of District & Session Court, Manipur East which ruled that the fast stir launched by Sharmila against AFSPA is non-violence and that she is not trying to commit suicide.
He stated that life of Sharmila cannot be saved until the draconian act is lifted from the State so the government should remove the District Area status from all over the State and subsequently urge the Central Government to repeal AFSPA as early as possible.
Maintaining that the society had held symposiums and panel discussions on implementation of Inner Line permit System in the State with experts from different fields, he demanded the government to enforce the system to regulate the rampant influx of outsiders which has posed a serious threat to existence of the indigenous people.
Regarding the unfortunate August 30 Ukhrul district in which lives of two civilians were lost and several others left injured, the advocate contended that the incident could have been avoided had the government tackled the situation diligently.
He asserted that the indefinite bandh imposed by UNC in Naga inhabited areas in the backdrop of the incident has affected both the people of hills and valley and demanded the government the government to take up necessary steps to stop the bandh.
Today's meet was also attended by retd principal Sadananda, general secretary of Senior Citizens for Society.