By IANS,
Kolkata : Around 150 people came together in a candle light vigil here Tuesday as part of the ‘Save Sharmila Week’, in support of Manipuri activist Irom Sharmila Chanu.
People from all walks of society including youngsters, men and women, activists and various NGOs participated in the vigil that began in the evening in front of the Maharaja Manindra college in Shyambazar located in the north of the city.
“We support Sharmila’s goal of repealing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. This vigil will create awareness about the movement,” co-ordinator of the ‘Save sharmila Solidarity Campaign(SSSC)’ Shubhojit Duttagupta told IANS.
The ‘Save Sharmila Week’ is part of the SSSC’s campaign to gather support for iconic Manipuri activist Irom Sharmila, on a fast for about 12 years demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act that is seen by many as repressive.
Launched March 8, International Women’s Day, in Chennai, the week will conclude on Sharmila’s birthday March 14.
Dubbed the “Iron Lady of Manipur”, Sharmila began her fast Nov 2, 2000, after witnessing the killing of 10 people by the army at a bus stop. She was arrested after she began her protest and was charged with attempt to suicide. She was sent to a prison hospital in Imphal where she has been force-fed via a nasal drip.
She is currently lodged in Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal.
The AFSPA was passed in 1990 to grant special powers and immunity from prosecution to security forces to deal with raging insurgencies in northeastern states.