Rights group holds protest for Irom Sharmila

Zahid Maqbool

Srinagar:In a show of solidarity with Manipur rights activist Irom Sharmila, a sit-in demonstration and hunger strike, organized under the banner of ‘Kashmir Reform Group', was held at the Press Enclave, here on Saturday.

According to the participants, the protest it is a "reciprocate gesture" from people of Jammu and Kashmir to Sharmila for extending her support for repealing of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Kashmir.

“We want to extend our support to the ‘Iron Lady’ Irom Sharmila, who is on fast from last ten years for revoking the AFSFA from Manipur, we want to extend our support and thankfulness to her as she has demanded same for Kashmir, the group said in a press statement.

The group also demanded immediate steps to resettle the migrated pandits in the Kashmir valley.

The protest is was organized at a time when a Delhi-based civil rights group is going to start ‘Save Sharmila Solidarity campaign.’ The journey to be flagged off by social activist Medha Patkar and Magsaysay awardee Sandeep Pandey on October 16 from Srinagar would pass through many states before reaching Manipur- its destination.

The Manipuri activist is on hunger strike for the last ten years demanding revocation of AFSPA which provides impunity to armed forces operating in disturbed areas of India.

Manipur agitators exempt life-saving drugs from blockade

IMPHAL: The Sadar Hills District-hood Demand Committee (SHDDC) and the United Naga Council (UNC) have exempted life-saving drugs from the purview the economic blockade and will allow their flow along the National Highways. The state cabinet, meanwhile, has decided to hold dialogues with both parties. In its demand that Sadar Hills in Senapati be made a full-fledged revenue district, the SHDDC has been imposing an economic blockade on NH 39 and NH 53 since July 1. An indefinite general strike is also currently on in Sadar Hills. The UNC has also imposed an indefinite total bandh on all highways, including NH 150, since Sunday morning in protest against the state government's attempt to bifurcate the 'Naga areas' to create new districts. Though the UNC has not released any statement on free flow of life-saving drugs, its caretaker informed this reporter that the same may be transported along the highways provided the transporters take prior permission from the UNC and carry all necessary documents. The mounting agitation from both sides has already triggered a commodity crisis as stock of foodstuff and fuel in the state. Responding to fervent appeals from civil, religious and humanitarian bodies including the Red Cross Society (RCS), life-saving drugs including oxygen may be ferried only by RCS ambulances and other ambulances, said an SHDDC statement. Meanwhile, the state cabinet has decided to hold dialogues with both the agitating parties. The cabinet met at the CM's office on Tuesday night and resolved to constitute a committee on 'Reorganization of Administration and Police District Boundary' to maintain law and order.

Fast: Will Anna support Irom Sharmila? North-East ignored?

Imphal, Aug 25 : Anna Hazare's indefinite fast entered ninth day on Wednesday, Aug 24 and the government along with the nation seems to have been stirred up. Crucial members of the government seem busy in persuading Anna to break his fast. The activities among the political leaders clearly show the "discriminate attitude" towards another crusader - Irom Sharmila who has been continuing her fast since last ten years in Manipur.

The "ignored crusader" - Irom, who is also well-known as "Iron lady", reportedly sent a letter to the Gandhian crusader seeking support for her cause to withdraw controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958, from Manipur.

In her letter to Anna, Irom Sharmila reportedly ruled out an unconditional support and has spoken about the need for reciprocity from Team Anna towards her cause.

Citing the situation, many started speculating - will Anna extend his helping hands towards Irom Sharmila? Sharmila, who has been under house arrest at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College in Imphal, had her last voluntary meal on Nov 4, 2000. She started her agitation to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which gives the military powers such as the right to arrest suspected militants without a warrant and to shoot anyone suspected of being a rebel.

Armed Forces Special Powers Act is being implemented in the terrorism dominated states in India and the soldiers are bestowed with tremendous power to tackle the militants.

Sharmila lives in Manipur, the north east state which faces enough trouble - both from the army and the militants. Experiencing the draw-backs of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Sharmila began her long-battle to protest the anti-terror law.

Naga students urge Manipur govt to uphold 1992 MoU

Kohima, Aug 25 : The Naga Students Federation (NSF) has urged the Manipur chief minister to honour the November 1992 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that assured that not an inch of Naga area would be bartered away under any circumstance .

The NSF issued a copy of representation addressed to Mr O Ibobo Singh by NSF vice-president Sinhilo Thong, Speaker RS Jollyson and general secretary N Ejanthung Ngullie. It referred to the ongoing demand for the creation of Sadar Hills District in Manipur and said the organisation would resort to its own course of action if the memorandum was not honoured.

The NSF reminded the Manipur government of the Memorandum of Understanding signed on November 10, 1992 between the NSF and the Government of Manipur, then represented by the Deputy Chief Minister-acting Chief Minister of Manipur and the Chief Secretary.

The NSF asked the Manipur government to sincerely implement the charter points executed in 1992, keeping in mind the interests and rights of the Nagas in that state in the backdrop of the ongoing demand for creation of Sadar Hills District .

Manipur Assembly starts with tributes to deceased members

Imphal, Aug 24 : The eleventh session of the ninth Manipur Assembly began here today amid tight security.


Members of the House paid obituary reference to three former members of the House, Moirangthem Meghachandra, Thangjolal and Elangbam Suraj.


Suraj was a member of the ninth assembly and was killed in a tragic road accident recently in New Delhi.

Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh said Elangbam Suraj was a young dynamic leader who was well educated and excelled in various fields.

Leader of the Opposition, Radhabinod Koijam also remembered the works of the three former members.

The House was adjourned after taking up the obituary reference.

Manipur CM to tour European countries

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh accompanied by a team of state government officials will tour European countries from September 7 to 11 next. Official sources said he will visit Luxembourg, Belgium, Spain and France. Officials, however, did not reveal the details of the tour. Sources said the tour may be linked with taking up developmental works and see the works taken up in the European countries.

BJP up in arms against corruption in Imphal

IMPHAL: Joining the nationwide protest against corruption and storing of black money in foreign banks, members of BJP's Manipur unit staged a demonstration at their Imphal head office on Thursday.

"Our agitation is part of a four-day nationwide agitation against corruption and black money stored in foreign banks," said the party's secretary (media affairs) Laimayum Basanta Sharma.

He added that the party would continue to take up different modes of protests like street meetings, demonstrations and would whip up support against corruption rampant across the country and Manipur in particular.

The BJP's stir comes barely 12 days after the party's national general secretary, Tapir Gao, sought an apology from Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the police action on yoga guru Baba Ramdev's supporters on Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi.

"Though we don't have any legislator in the sixty-member Manipur assembly, our national leaders have taken up all critical issues of the state in Parliament from time to time for redressal," said Sharma. Ruing the Centre's decision to defer the Parliament session, he added that the decision was taken after rejecting BJP leaders' demand to hold a special session to discuss the crux issues on various aspects, including corruption.

On the other hand, the lone representative of the saffron party in the Imphal Municipal Council (IMC), Yumlembam Ratikanta, carried out a cleanliness drive at a sericulture office complex in the Sangaipat area of Imphal East. "This is the first social work taken up by me after being elected as councilor in the IMC. We will play the perfect role of opposition for the welfare of people," he said.