The Telegraph banned in Manipur

IMPHAL, Sept 7 – Apunba Lup, an umbrella organisation of various civil society bodies in Manipur today banned The Telegraph in the State for carrying a report that allegedly belittle the people’s movement against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958.

Representatives of Apunba Lup also set on fire copies of The Telegraph in Imphal.

Apunba Lup’s decision followed a day after Just Peace Foundation (JPF), another organisation that promotes Irom Sharmila’s campaign against armed forces in Manipur has appealed to the people not to confuse the human rights activist’s public struggle and her personal life, after The Telegraph report claimed Sharmila has fallen in love with one Desmond Coutinho, a 48-year-old writer and activist.

Sharmila, 39, has been on a hunger strike since November 2, 2000 demanding repeal of AFSPA.