'Save Sharmila Campaign' completes national tour

Imphal, Oct 27: After canvassing in 11 states against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), the 'Save Sharmila Solidarity campaign' today (Oct 27) concluded its nation-wide tour as it reached Imphal Valley.

Flagged off by Medha Patkar and Magsaysay award winner Sandeep Pandey on October 16 from Srinagar, the 4,500 km long 'Jan Karvan' is led by 21 members of the National Alliance for People's Movement (NAPM) and backed by a number of civil society groups from across the country.

The 4,500 km tour covered cities like Jammu, Ludhiana, New Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Ranchi, Patna, Kolkata and Guwahati, with the final destination being Imphal.

"We were successful in spreading the universal message of love and peace....Only by repealing the Act, Irom Sharmila can get justice," said a spokesman of the campaign. During their march, public meetings, distribution of pamphlets, candle light vigils, street plays and school and college meetings were held in association with local human rights organisations.

On December 10, which is celebrated as International Human Rights Day, volunteers of the solidarity campaign will fast at New Delhi's Rajghat. Sharmila, who is now forcibly nose-fed at a government hospital in Imphal, began her fast in November 2000.

PTI