By TCN News,
Srinagar: The Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign on Sunday kicked off Srinagar To Imphal Save Sharmila Jan Karwan to highlight Irom Sharmila’s cause, who is on hunger protest for last 10 years demanding repeal of AFSPA – a law that gives special powers to armed forces in troubled areas.
The caravan to cover 4500 kms is organized by Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign — a joint initiative of various social organizations and movements who are extending their solidarity towards the cause.
Members of Srinagar-Imphal Save Sharmila Jan Karwan at the inaugural in Srinagar on Sunday (16th Oct)
Social activists from different parts of the country assembled in Srinagar to start the journey. Around 25 activists first went to Hazratbal to offer their prayer for peace and harmony. Renowned activists Medha Patkar, Magsaysay awardee Dr. Sandeep Pandey and Irom Singhjit (brother of Irom Sharmila) also came here to flag off the caravan led by Faisal Khan of NAPM.
Addressing the gathering, Medha Patkar said: We all are against AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) and all such laws that violate basic human rights. Violence is not recommended in any form.
She further said that democratic values are in danger everywhere in Kashmir and north east and thus we all started the journey from here to show or solidarity. She also told that cases of disappeared persons should also get listed and government should attend the issues during her address to public.
Magsaysay awardee Dr. Sandeep Pandey said that we want to raise the issue of Irom among public. Kashmir should get enough respect and attention to establish democratic values perfectly, he also said.
Faisal Khan informed that it is first time when any such journey is organized to protect democratic values and Gandhian values. Irom has become a symbol of peace and a voice raise the issue of AFSPA. J&K is also affected from this law on one side and thus we all decided to start the journey from here.
The Save Sharmila Jan Karwan will travel through 10 states and will reach Imphal on 27th October.
Medha Patkar (extreme left) launching the Srinagar-Imphal Save Sharmila Jan Karwan in Srinagar on Sunday (16th Oct)
Activists who are in the caravan to meet with Irom Sharmila include Senior Gandhians like Suresh Bhai (Bihar) & Balwant Yadav, Satya Prakash Bharat, Md. Iqbal, Asit Das, Gufran Khan, Adil Khan, Inamul Hasan, Ravi Nitesh, Ehsan Raza, Mahendra Sonawale, Md. Arish, Panakj Pathak, Bilal Kagzi, Ghulam Md. Gorsee, Shabbir, Sarwar, and Ghulam Mohammad.
Campaign members said that many others will also join the karwan from many places on the route. This karwan will travel through Jammu, Ludhiana, Karnal, Panipat, New Delhi, Aligarh, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varansai, Patna, Ranchi, Kolkata, Guwahati and Imphal.
[Photo Courtesy: kashmirdispatch.com]