Relay hunger strike enters 18th day

IMPHAL, Dec 28 : The relay hunger strike organized by the Sharmila Kanba Lup at the Porompat PDA Complex entered its 18th day today. It was the turn of about 160 women belonging to the Kongpal Khongman Meira Paibi and the Meiyang Langjing Semgat Sagat Lup who turned up in solidarity with the hunger strike being undertaken by Sharmila Irom calling for repealing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

Addressing the Meira Paibi women today, Shinghajit Irom, Sharmila`s elder brother said that Act was inhuman and violated the rights and dignity of people.

"The Act which was imposed under the ruse of arresting the issue of insurgency in the region has only resulted in suppressing the freedom of the people," he said.

He further added that the call of the public to repeal the Act is an expression of their rightful claim and appealed for more public support to the cause.

Speaking at the gathering today, Khoirom Loyalakpa, Editor of the local daily Naharolgi Thoudang said that politicians in the state do not want the Act to go.

"Those who are benefiting from the Act would not want it to go. It is the impunity given by the Act that makes them free to do anything they like," he said.

He added further that terrorist acts in the state are committed by security forces and said that unity of the people was required to have the Act repealed.