Anti-AFSPA stand gains momentum, fast held across country
Sharmila steps into 12th year of fast
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 05 2011: In commemoration of Irom Chanu Sharmila completing the 11th year of her unsurpassed crusade against the infamous Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, people of Manipur staged protest demonstrations at different corners of the State.

Sharmila has been fasting for the last 11 years demanding repeal of the controversial AFSPA in the aftermath of the massacre of ten innocent people by Assam Rifles at Malom on November 2, 2000 .

Pointing out that Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has admitted AFSPA as inhuman in addition to Justice Jeevan Reddy's recommendation to scrap the military Act, the protesters demanded the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to repeal AFSPA without any further delay.

Further pointing out that the Government of India responded with all the urgency when Ana Hazare fasted for just 11 days whereas New Delhi has been paying no attention to Sharmila's 11 years old fasting, they decried partial attitude of the Government of India.

A sit-in-protest organised by the All Assam Manipuri Students' Union underway at Lakhipur in Assam in support of Sharmila's crusade against AFSPA

Joining the State-wide demonstration in solidarity with the crusade of Irom Chanu Sharmila, BJP Manipur Pradesh functionaries and supporters also staged sit-in-protest at its Nityaipat Chuthek office campus.

Speaking to newspersons on the sideline of the protest, State unit BJP president sh Shanti-kumar said BJP MP from Guwahati constituency Bijoya Chakrabarti at a calling attention motion in the Parliament on August 18, 2010 demanded removal of AFSPA from areas where it is enforced.

He also contended that the BJP is totally against continuous imposition of the draconian Act in Manipur for several innocent lives have been lost due to brutality of security forces operating in the state.

Like in other parts of the State, a protest demonstration was staged at the memorial site of the ten people mowed down by Assam Rifles at Malom.

Speaking to media persons by the sideline of the protest demonstration, Kshetrimayum Subadani, mother of Ksh Inao who was one of the victims of Malom massacre, said that her family could be re-established till date after the dead of her son who was then earning the livelihood of the whole family by working as a goldsmith.

Shortly after the dead of Inao, her sister committed suicide by consuming poison.

Before the year was over, their father too died because of mental agony, Subadani said.

She made a fervent appeal to repeal AFSPA and stop killing innocent people.

Sinam Chandrajini, mother of late S Robinson and late S Chandramani said that she was bearing the loss of her two sons when it was very difficult for any mother to bear the loss of a single son.

Robinson and Chandramani were brothers and they were murdered by Assam Rifles on that fateful day.

Chandramani had also won Bravery Award before his young life was cut short.

Saying that Sharmila's crusade cannot be allowed to go in vain, Chandrajini called upon one and all to support the crusade against AFSPA until Sharmila achieves success.

Soibam Tarkon, mother of Prakash, another young victim of Malom massacre said that the agony of losing her young son would go away only when she dies.

Tokpam Thoibi, mother of late T Shantikumar asked if there was anything which can compensate for her son.

Shantikumar, then only 17 years old, was killed by Assam Rifles together with the other nine victims.

Women vendors of the three market complexes of Khwairamband Keithel too suspended their daily activities and staged a protest demonstration under the banner 'Save Democracy, Repeal AFSPA' .

Rani, one of the protesting women, said that AFSPA brought nothing positive apart from unleashing a reign of terror.

She also decried the discriminatory treatment of Ana Hazare and Sharmila by the Government of New Delhi.

They also pledged unrestrained support to Sharmila until she wins her battle.

Liklaileima of the Khwairamband Keithel Nupi Lup stated that India cannot remain indifferent to the crusade of Sharmila for good.

It would be prudent on the part of the Government of India to scrap AFSPA before it comes under international scrutiny.