Thursday 27 March 2014

AFSPA PAR HALLA BOL: MARCH FROM MANDI HOUSE METRO STATION TO JANTAR MANTAR ON 30TH MARCH AT 1 PM

PRESS NOTE


ANTI-AFSPA MARCH FROM MANDI HOUSE METRO STATION TO JANTAR MANTAR ON 30 MAR AT 1

The draconian law of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) rules over eight states in India. With its provision of unrestrained power - shoot at sight, arrest without warrant, search and destroy public property on mere suspicion and legal impunity to the armed forces, AFSPA has led to extra-judicial killings, rapes, torture and fake encounters in these states. 

Yet, AFSPA has been existing for 60 years now. In these 60 years, there have been countless numbers of protests and demonstrations against this inhuman act. It has been 14 years now that Irom Sharmila, a Manipuri activist, has been on a hunger-strike against AFSPA but while her heroic struggle is challenging the conscience of people across the world, her own Government remains unmoved. Almost all major parties in the country have been silent about the everyday horror in these states.

But this silence needs to be broken. In the wake of the upcoming 16th Lok Sabha elections, we intend to create a political pressure for the repeal of AFSPA. We demand the political parties to take up the issue of repealing AFSPA. In this regard, we have taken several steps. We have appealed to academicians and columnists to write about this issue in newspapers and news portals. An open letter issued by Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign and endorsed by many human rights’ activists and organizations across the country was written to political parties including AAP, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, left parties, regional parties of Jammu & Kashmir and North-east.  

Today, on 30th March, Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign, AISA, AIPWA, RYA, DSF, JNUSU, NEFIS, Voices against 377, NAPM, Right to water campaign and other like-minded groups organize a joint march against AFSPA from Mandi House metro station to Jantar Mantar at 1 PM. After the march, there will be a public meeting at Jantar Mantar. 

For any other information, mail at savesharmila@gmail.com or call 9958907799, 9582129927, 8826672016, 9718204129

1 comment:

  1. I strongly feet that now that a national forum of eminent persons and activists has been formed to pursue the demand of Irom Sharmila for repeal AFSPA, they should also approach and convince that girl Sharmila to immediately give up her fast so that she can at least now onward pursue normal life on recovering her health as soon as possible and if this is further delayed it is doubtful whether her physique would permit such recovery in future. While fully appreciating her enormous contribution and sacrifice, the forum better persuade her to give up the fast and recoup her health and strength and assure her a bright future.

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