IMPHAL, Oct 28 NNN: Kovillan Smaraka Activist India National Award, annaward from Kovilan Trust, Kerala conferred to Irom Sharmila has been returned back to the Trust after receiving it formally in protest against the government of Manipur’s move to bar people from outside the state as well as the locals from meeting Irom Sharmila, the hunger striker demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
Addressing newsperson at Manipur Press Club today, Babloo Loitongbam, stated that the Kovillan Smaraka Activist India National Award which carries a cash reward of Rs 50,000 along with a memento was handed over to Irom Singhajit, brother of Irom Sharmila by Mahashweta Devi, noted writer and activist at a function held at Kolkata Press Club on October 27 at around 4 pm.
He further said Irom Sharmila’s decision not to accept any award still stands tall.
Giving reasons on why the award was received formally then, “The decision to send a team to receive the award was arrived at because it was a good chance to vindicate the stand of Irom Sharmila. Moreover, there was also opportunity to interact with the noted writers and activists of the country present at the awardf unction “.
Irom Singhajit, a trustee member of JPF said that the government has barred organizations and activists from outside as well as of the State to meet with Irom Sharmila.
He further said the foundation will persuade the state government to lift the restriction imposed on Irom Sharmila while adding that it will take up a legal steps if the government does not relax the restriction.
It may be mentioned here that the government of Manipur had rejected the requests made by Mahashweta Devi, noted writer and activist from Bengal to meet with Irom Sharmila in 2009. Irom Sharmila Chanu who has been on fasting since the year 2000 demanding the repeal of the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state of Manipur is still lodged in the security ward of Jwaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/sharmila-returns-award-to-protest-restriction/
