Imphal, November 13: Even though the whole State will be celebrating Ningol Chakkouba festival tomorrow, family members of Irom Chanu Sharmila, Thangjam Manorama and the locals of Bamon Kampu Mayai Leikai would be refraining from the festivities and instead observe it as a mourning day.

Mention may be made here that Sharmila's families had been boycotting Ningol Chakkouba since the day she began fasting in 2000 demanding complete removal of the repressive AFSPA from the State.

Talking to The Sangai Express on the eve of the grandiest festival of the State's majority community, an emotionally drained Irom Shinghajit elder brother of Sharmila said that Ningol Chakkouba has become meaningless ever since Sharmila began fasting after personnel of the Assam Rifles mowed down ten civilians at Malom.

"I miss my sister Sharmila a lot when I see people buying gifts, sweetmeats and fish for Ningol Chakkouba" said Shinghajit.

He however hastened to add that the very idea that Sharmila is fasting for the cause of the people of the State and not for herself gives him the courage to face the harsh realities.

"She would definitely achieve her goal as my weak mother has showered blessings on Sharmila from the first day of her fasting" said visibly emotional Singhajit of Kongpal Kongkham Leikai adding that his mother had always told him to encourage Sharmila on her stand whenever he meets her.

Coming down heavily on the security personnel guarding Sharmila at JN Hospital, he lamented that the security personnel had prevented him from handing over an award to Sharmila given by a particular NGO on the occasion of UN Day.

It may be noted here that Sharmila along with some others were awarded under a title "Citizen of Merit" by an NGO on the occasion of UN Day.

Shinghajit who was working as an Agriculture Officer in one popular NGO of the State resigned from his post to support his sister's cause.

"Let the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announce total lifting of the draconian act and let this be the greatest gift to my sister, he said.

Besides the family members of Sharmila, all the residents of Bamon Kampu Mayai Leikai under People's Action Committee Against the Brutal Custodial Killing of Thangjam Manorama will mourn the day.

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