Civil society groups to launch mass campaign for Irom Sharmila
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By TCN Staff Reporter, , New Delhi: | May 22

A joint campaign by a network of civil society organizations will be launched to aware the general public about the non-violent protest of Irom Sharmila. Sharmila is on hunger strike since 2000 in Manipur with her demand to repeal the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA). The decision for a joint campaign was taken in the meeting “Save Sharmila campaign” organized on 19th May in New Delhi.

It should be noted that the “draconian” law has always been criticized by the civil society organizations. Organizations campaigning for Sharmila include Gandhi Global Foundation, Jagriti Mahila Samiti, National Alliance for People’s Movement (NAPM), Asha Parivar, Khudai Khidmatgaar, Mission Bhartiyam, Yuva Koshish and Sadbhavna Mission.

Representatives from these organizations besides Human Rights Law Network and Mission Bhartiyam were present in the meeting.

In the meeting, Mr. Faisal Khan of NAPM said that very few among general public were aware about Sharmila's sacrifice to establish democracy and peace on real ground. Therefore as a concerned citizen and as a human being, “it is our responsibility to support her through public awareness and appeal through various ways.”

A candle light prayer will also be organized at Rajghat to support the gandhian way of protest by Irom Sharmila. Mr. Ravi Nitesh of Mission Bhartiyam proposed various other activities such as online campaign, signature campaign and peace march. “Srinagar to Imphal Yatra” will also be organized to “join the hearts and gather support for Irom Sharmila's protest,” Khan informed.