Silent rally in Bengaluru to support Sharmila

Sobhapati Samom

 IMPHAL, Sept 27 – Several NGOs have launched a nation- wide programmes of sit-in protest, signature campaign and silent procession to support Irom Sharmila’s decade-long struggle against the controversial Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act 1958.

Holding placards which read ‘Repeal AFSPA’, ‘Support Sharmila’, etc., Bangalore Manipuri Students Association in association with the Web2Source Enterprises on Sunday organised a silent rally in Bengaluru from Cubbon Park to MG Road via Mayo Hall and converged at the starting point for a five-hour sit-in protest on Sunday.

“We are holding the rally and sit-in to demand repeal of AFSPA and support Sharmila’s decade-old struggle,” informed Peter Ahanthem, a participant from Bengaluru, on phone. “The campaign will continue at important cities of the country”, he added.

Meanwhile, a statement here said, “We now, the present day youth have come together inspired by our motto ‘Save Democracy, Repeal AFSPA’.

A similar sit-in demonstration was also reportedly held at Delhi, the sources added.

Sharmila, a human rights activist from Manipur has been on a hunger strike since November 2, 2000 to have the Act, which provides unlimited powers to security forces to shoot at sight and arrest anybody without a warrant, repealed.

The ‘Save Sharmila’ campaign will be held from October 2 to December 10. The signatures will be handed over to President Pratibha Patil on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day on December 10, followed by a peace march in Delhi, from India Gate to Rashtrapati Bhawan.