In Solidarity with Irom Chanu Sharmila
Source: Hueiyen News Service / New Delhi

Imphal, November 05 2012: To mark completion of 12 years of hunger protest by Irom Chanu Sharmila over the public demand for withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1985, volunteers and supporters of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC) observed a day-long fast from 9 am to 5 pm at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi yesterday.

SSSC is a nation-wide struggle against the neglect and suppression of Irom Sharmila, a Manipuri poet-activist, who has been on a hunger-protest for 12 years now, demanding repeal of the Army Act denounced by many as draconian.

Sharmila completes 12 years of her hunger strike today (November 5) .

In the solidarity fast, Babloo lothingam from Just Peace Foundation of Manipur also participated.

Various students from colleges and civil rights activists such as writer Pankaj Singh, Mehtab Alam, Social activist Bilal Sultan from J&K etc also participated.

Devika Mittal, core member of the campaign, one of the 12 who sat on the fast remarked, "This is in solidarity with Irom.

We want to send out the message that she is not alone.

We are with her.

We feel for Irom because she is a true democrat and a citizen of this country.

She has every right to be heard.

Her struggle shows her faith in democracy and non-violence.

The Government must initiate talks with her.

Zaheeb Ajmal added, "The Government is ready to talk to terrorists and naxals but they have not initiated any talks with Irom, who has adopted the path of peace and non-violence.

Why?" .

Ravi Nitesh, a core member of SSSC, remarked, "It cannot be denied that AFSPA has created problems in Manipur and other AFSPA-imposed states and it ruptured the normal life of people of these States.

Struggle of Irom must be heard and for all this, the Government must open talks with her.

It is shocking that in these 12 years, not a single delegation has been sent to her" .

Voluneers of SSSC also appealed to the Judiciary to respond on this matter.

In this regard, Gufran Khan observed, "if the government is not willing to do anything on this aspect, the judiciary must intervene as its about the violation of human lives" .

In another step to highlight the struggle, SSSC had also organised an article-series on Irom Sharmila wherein articles were invited from the public and were published on the website.

12 articles were selected and one article was published every day to symbolize one year of fast.

This will conclude on 5th November.

Major number of volunteers and supporters who sat on fast were youths.

They all were in favor of peace and democracy.

The sit-in place was decorated with posters of Irom Sharmila, designed by various artists.

They placed slogans for Irom.

Handwritten placards and slogans were truly reflecting the pure and dedicated work of volunteers.

Slogans included "12 Years of Struggle now, When will we speak for her?", "Some Acts are hard to swallow" and "Irom Lady".

In one poster, AFSPA was defined as "Autocratic Freedom Sanctioned by Parliament for the Army" whereas in another Irom were written as "Iron Sharmila" .

During this one day fast, a memorandum also submitted to Prime Minister of India with a copy to Ministry of Home Affairs and NHRC to demand the government to initiate the dialogue with her.

Comment