Chandigarh,November 5, 2012; Today, Irom Sharmila completes 12 years of her hunger-protest. SSSC (Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign) in collaboration with Yuvsatta-NGO organized a candle light vigil at Sector 17 Plaza to mark the 12thanniversary of this unparalleled non-violent struggle.
Giving information about the initiative Faisal Khan, leader of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC) shared that SSSC is a nation-wide struggle against the neglect and suppression of Irom Sharmila, a Manipuri poet-activist who has been on a hunger-protest for 12 years now, on a protest against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Manipur. For this, SSSC has in the past, organized various events such as candle vigils, documentary sessions, public awareness rallies, press conferences, sit in protests, delegation meets with NHRC & memorandum to Prime minister etc. an important yet neglected non-violent and democratic struggle in the World’s largest democracy and unfortunately
Faisal khan further said that we are organizing this time in Chandigarh beside Delhi because very few people know her struggle in rest of India beside Manipur. He added that they’re continuously working on this issue but government is not responding well and added that, “The Government is ready to talk to terrorists and naxalites but they have not initiated any talks with Irom Sharmila, who has adopted the path of peace and satyagraha. Government is not putting Jeevan Reddy committee report in parliament and not talking about Veerappa Moily recommendation.
Sairen Paikhomba, President, Manipur Students association in Chandigarh who also joined along with all the members shared that they strongly feel that Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Manipur should be vanished and their livelihood security among the people need to be maintained for better future.
Members of Bal Panchayat and volunteers of Yuvsatta also participated in the Candle light vigil. Pramod Sharma, Coordinator of Yuvsatta was of the view that this needs mutual support of people from all across the country and civil society should come forward and support Irom Sharmila with open heart because if she will be defeated then it will be the defeat of non violence and satyagraha.