IMPHAL, April 25: “Iron lady Irom chanu Sharmila’s name and her demands should not be used as a weapon to garner political mileage and during election campaigns in the forthcoming 10th Manipur Lagislative Assembly election which will be most probably held in February 2012”, said Irom Shinghajit brother of the Iron lady while speaking to media persons at the Relay Hunger Strike hut, Porompat this evening.
He was present at during a candle lighting observation held in solidarity to Sharmila’s 10 years hunger strike demanding the government to repeal the Arms Force Special Power Act 1958.
The observation was jointly organized by the All Manipur Student Union, Sharmila Kanba Apunba Lup and the North East Student Organisation and will be held throughout the seven states of the North East region.
Shinghajit stated that it is more than 10 years since his sister had started her protest demanding repeal of the AFSPA from the state, however unfortunately the state government as well as the central government is yet to even consider the demand.
Taking the opportunity of the observation flatform, he questioned the central government on how it can remain silent for such a long time as ten years of his sister’s hunger strike, while the Indian government gave in to the demands of one Anna Hazare in such a short period of time. He stated that this could be a clear example of violation of Sharmila’s rights and it also shows that the centre is discriminating the people of Manipur.
Sharmila Kanba Apunba Lup executive member Madhumati Leima also said that Manipur has only one woman MLA in the state, and that it is unfortunate that she has remained silent regarding the Sharmila issue during the assembly and as well as during her appearance in functions.
She further said that Sharmila’s demand is not for herself but it is for all people of the state and so we all need to come forward and demand from the government to repeal AFSPA from Manipur.
The Sharmila Kanba Apunba Lup further appreciated the Northeas.t Students Organisation for such cooperation to Sharmila and her protest against AFSPA.
As in other parts of the whole North East region, the Sharmila Kanba Lup also organized candle lit observation at different districts of the state this evening.
