Press Release: Citizen’s Organization back Irom Sharmila

(Report from The Hindu)

Expressing solidarity with Irom Sharmila – the activist who has entered the 12th year of hunger fast demanding repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Manipur – members of People’s Solidarity Concerns-Bangalore, a forum of various human rights organisations, have organised a series of programmes, including film screenings, a public talk and demonstration on Sunday in the city.

Addressing presspersons on Friday, forum convenor Jagadish G. Chandra said that the films on the issues raised by Irom Sharmila will be screened at SCM House on Mission Road in the city at 1 PM.

This will be followed by a talk by lawyer activist Babloo Loitangham, who is also a close associate of Ms. Sharmila.

Participants of the Save Sharmila Jatha from Ahmedabad to Srinagar, who are arriving in the city as a part of their countrywide campaign, will also attend the programme, according to Mr. Chandra.

This programme will be followed by a mass protest demonstration in front of Town Hall at 4 PM., he said.

“AFSPA has… become a symbol of oppression, an object of hate and an instrument of discrimination and high-handedness. This has been stated by the Justice Jeevan Reddy commission, appointed by the Prime Minister to review AFSPA. We are coming together to strongly protest against this act and and demand that it be repealed,” Mr. Chandra added.

Staff Reporter