Candlelight vigil for the iron lady of Manipur

NGOs seek to highlight Irom Sharmila's cause

chinky

Chinky Shukla | June 27, 2011


Akhu Chingangbam from Imphal Talkies, singing a protest song during the vigil at Rajghat
Akhu Chingangbam from Imphal Talkies, singing a protest song during the vigil at Rajghat

On Saturday evening, several civil rights group held a candlelight vigil near Rajghat  in solidarity with Irom Sharmila, the iron lady of Mainpur, who has been fasting for over a decade now demanding the repeal of the armed forces special power act (Afspa). National Alliance of People's Movement (NAPM) in collaboration with other civil society organisations organised the "Save Sharmilla Campaign" to draw attention to her protest and condition. 

More than 200 people showed up to extend their support to Sharmila and lit candles outside Rajghat. They, however, were not allowed to light candles at Gandhi's grave by the Delhi police. A Manipuri singer songwriter, Akhu Chingangbam from Imphal Talkies, recited "India, I see blood on your hands" - a poem about the atrocities by the army against the people of the northeastern state.

It all started in November 2000, when ten civilians were shot dead by the Assam Rifles. Moved by the innocent killings and mass unrest, Irom Sharmila, a poet and socio-political activist from Manipur, began her indefinite fast to protest against the Afspa act, which gives the army sweeping powers to arrest any citizen without warrant and kill any suspected rebels. The history of anti-terrorism fight by the government forces in the north eastern states will reveal many cases of young innocent lads, who have been picked up by the army or paramilitary forces. They return home wounded both mentally and physically. Many are missing till date. On July 10, 2009, the dead body of Thangjam Manorama was found 4 kilometers from her house. She had been picked up by Assam Rifles jawans on charges of  links with separatist rebels. She was raped and killed by them. Women protested in front of the local army headquarters naked, with banners saying " Indian army rape us". It shook the entire nation. Still this draconian law is in force in Manipur and many other states.

Faisal Khan, member of NAPM said, "It is quite regrettable that neither the civil society members nor the social activists have paid any attention to Sharmila's protest. They have visited her once to know her condition. She has been suffering in solitutde for the people of northeast. We need more support from the media to raise this issue among the masses and save Sharmila. Unlike Anna's movement against corruption which stirred the government in mere 5 days, Sharmila's 10 year long peaceful protest is yet to be noticed by the government."

 

Comments

 

Other News

When healthcare becomes luxury: Inside India’s growing medical inequality

India’s ambition to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030 is faltering under the weight of low public spending, rising privatisation, and deepening inequality in access to care. Leading doctors and public health experts warn that the current system, heavily dependent on out-of-pocket spendi

DAE hosts curtain-raiser for Emerging Sci-Tech & Innovation Conclave

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) organized a curtain-raiser for the upcoming Emerging Science, Technology & Innovation Conclave (ESTIC-2025) at its headquarters in Mumbai on Thursday. As one of the key organisers of the national conclave, DAE will lead the thematic session on ‘Energy, Enviro

Class 3 kids will learn AI soon

The Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSE&L), Ministry of Education, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Artificial Intelligence and Computational Thinking (AI & CT) as essential components of future-ready education. The Department is supporting institutions such as CBSE, NCERT

NITI Aayog unveils manufacturing roadmap

NITI Aayog’s Frontier Tech Hub unveiled a roadmap “Reimagining Manufacturing: India’s Roadmap to Global Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing” in Pune on Wednesday . The roadmap was unveiled by Devendra Fadnavis, chief minister of Maharashtra; Ajit Pawar, deputy chief

Cabinet approves Terms of Reference of 8th Central Pay Commission

The Union Cabinet, chaired by prime minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved the Terms of Reference of 8th Central Pay Commission. The 8th Central Pay Commission will be a temporary body. It will comprise of one chairperson; one member (part time) and one member-secretary. It will make it

Waste to Wings: Unlocking the power of black soldier fly for a greener future

The global agri-food system faces critical sustainability challenges linked with land degradation, deforestation, water depletion, climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity. Agriculture contributes to one-third of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, largely driven by food waste, deforestati

Visionary Talk: Amitabh Gupta, Pune Police Commissioner with Kailashnath Adhikari, MD, Governance Now





Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter