Saturday 22 October 2011

Srinagar to Imphal Save Sharmila Yatra reaches Varanasi on 22nd October 2011


Press Release


Srinagar to Imphal Save Sharmila Yatra
reaches Varanasi on 22nd October 2011

Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign(SSSC) has organized a Jan Caravan from Jammu to Imphal to support Irom Sharmila, a Manipuri poet and activist who has been on a fast for 11 years for repeal of AFSPA. The Caravan will cover 10 states. The Caravan has people from different parts of the country. Irom Sharmila’s brother Singhajit is also part of the Caravan.

The Caravan of around 25 people reached Varanasi on 22nd October 2011. The Caravan stayed at Patel Dharamshala.

A seminar on Irom Sharmila and “Security Laws in India and position of human rights activists’ was held at conference hall of the Patel Dharamshala from 10 to 12 PM. The seminar was organized by the Sajha Sanskriti Manch which is a network of 54 local ngos. The speakers included Niti Bhai of Lok Chetna Samiti, Shabbir Bhai, Arvind Skhrwal, and Mahendra Bhai.
Niti Bhai remarked, “In the land of Gandhi, the voice of a true Gandhian should not be neglected”. Arvind Skhrwal added, “Save Sharmila, Save Democracy”. Mahendra Bhai argued that, “If the Government can consider talks with naxals, then why can’t with Irom Sharmila”. The seminar received a good response. 

After lunch, there was a march from Patel Bhawan to Kashi Vidyapeeth. The march saw about 200 people. This was followed by another seminar where one of the Kashmir interlocutor, Mr. Ansari was also present.

The Caravan will now move towards Patna. It has covered Jammu, Srinagar, Ludhiana, Panipat, Delhi, Aligarh, Kanpur and Lucknow. From Patna, it will then go to Ranchi, Kolkata, Guwahati and then finally to Imphal on 27th October 2011. 

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