New Delhi, Nov 6 NNN: Thirteen organisations carried out a day long fast and ‘satygraha’ in New Delhi demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958 (AFSPA). They also jointly submitted a lengthy memorandum to the President of India for repealing the Act. The fasting programme was held at Rajghat, New Delhi.
The thirteen organisations are Yuva Bharat, Rastra Nirman Abhiyan Sarv Seva Sangh, Azadi Bachao Andolan, Campaign for Peace & Democracy of Manipur, Bangladesh Bharat Pakistan Peoples Forum, Socialist Yuvjan Sabha,Kangla Group, Manipur Students?ssociation Delhi, Human Rights Alert, Just Peace Foundation, European Manipuri Association (EMA) London, UK, PUDR / CDRO and Lok Raj Sangathan.
Extending solidarity to hunger striker Irom Sharmila who has completed 12 years of fast demanding the repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), members of Extra Judicial Execution Victims Family Association, Manipur (EEVFAM) along with Sharmila Kanba Lup (SAKAL) today observed a day-long fast starting from 10 am to 4 pm at the SAKAL’s office located at Porompat, Imphal East district.
The hunger strike protest was part of its 5-day long campaign which ended today. It was held under the aegis of Just Peace Foundation (JPF) demanding for withdrawal of AFSPA from the State.
Speaking to newspersons on the sideline of the protest, Neena Ningombam, secretary general of EEVFAM stated that Central government’s approach to Sharmila’s unrelenting hunger strike is unfortunate and condemnable adding that the matter should be taken into serious account knowing the sentiments of the people of the State.
She further lamented that the Central government’s negligence on the matter is due to lack of political will power and unsubstantiated endeavours shown by the representatives of the 60 constituencies of the State informing that the organization, EEVFAM, formed by the family members of those victims killed in extra judicial execution came into existence due to AFSPA implementation in the State.
“As long as there is Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the State, the number of widows will increase and more victims’ families will come out to fight the draconian act. So, it is necessary to withdraw the act from the State immediately “, she added.
Meanwhile, reports stated that a one-day long hunger strike protest was also conducted at Gandhi Samadhi, Delhi today organized by Manipur Students’ Association, Delhi (MASAD) in collaboration with other civil society organizations of Delhi demanding for withdrawal of AFSPA from the State of Manipur.
Another similar one-day fast protest was also held today at Kapaar Kachoung Orphanage located at Hengsin Village, Chandel district as a mark of showing solidarity to Irom Sharmila. It was organized by the members of the orphanage in collaboration with Just Peace Foundation (JPF). A film titled “AFSPA-1958” was also screened during the protest.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mass-protest-against-afspa-in-delhi/
