Srinagar to Imphal: A journey to save Sharmila

With an aim to spread awareness about Irom Sharmila - The Iron Lady who has been on fast for 10 years now demanding repeal of AFSPA in Manipur - a nationwide march from Srinagar to Imphal will be launched in September.

The campaign is jointly organised by  Yuva Koshish, Mission Bhartiyam, National Alliance of People's Movement (NAPM), Asha Parivar, Gandhi Family, Jagriti Mahila Samiti, the Asian Centre for Social Sciences and Khudai Khidmatgar.

Speaking to media here in Imphal, Human Rights activist and journalist Mohammad Tanver Iqbal on  Monday said that majority of Indians do not know about the fast Sharmila has been observing for 10 years now. It is due to the lack of publicity that her fast is still unknown to many. The campaign is launched in solidarity to Iron Lady Sharmila's 10 years long fight against Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

Tanver slammed the Government of India for its indifference towards such a long fast while it opens avenues when others belonging to the mainstream India go on fast-unto-death. The Human Rights Activist also demanded that a special team of doctors should be sent from the capital-New Delhi-to examine the Sharmila's health.

Letters highlighting Sharmila's condition would be sent on July 9 to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, other leaders including the Opposition leaders of the country. Then on July 24, there would be a meeting in Jammu and Kashmir. In the month of September, the journey as a part of the campaign would be undertaken from Imphal, Manipur either by bus or train and will cross various states of India. Then on October 2, a nationwide signature campaign would be carried out, told Tanver Iqbal.

On June 25, a candle light prayer session was held in Rajghat, Delhi as a part of the Save Sharmila Campaign. Eminent personalities like Taslima Nasreen, Pritish Nandy among others have sent messages of solidarity to Save Irom Sharmila’s campaign.