IMPHAL, April 26 � Showing solidarity with Irom Sharmila Chanu, who has been on a fast for the last 10 years demanding repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers)Act, 1958, the North East Student Organisation (NESO) chairman Samujjal Bhattacharjya led a 13-member team to meet her today at JNIMS hospital where she has been kept in custody.
Sharmila�s crusade began after the troops of 8 Assam Rifles allegedly killed 10 civilians at Malom near Imphal airport on November 2, 2000. Sharmila wants repeal of AFSPA which gives troops sweeping powers to kill suspected rebels and immunity from prosecution.
Speaking to media persons, Samujjal Bhattacharjya said that they are here to show support to Sharmila�s struggle against prolonged imposition of AFSPA in the Northeastern region.
Later briefing the media at the office of All Manipur Student Union headquarter here, NESO leaders have called upon the MPs and Chief Ministers of the Northeastern States to raise their voice against AFSPA in the National Capital.
�All Chief Ministers and MPs of the region should stand by her stand�, Dr Samujjal Bhattacharjya said and expressed unhappiness over the discrimination of the Northeastern people. Most of the Central leaders never think beyond Kolkata, he lamented. The Centre has ignored Sharmila�s decade old struggle to repeal AFSPA while they pay full attention to Anna Hazare�s strike in Delhi.
The student leader also informed that Sharmila has stopped nose feeding in custody. She said she wanted to meet the Chief Minister, he added.� The Chief Minister also should respect her struggle�.
Meanwhile, the Iron lady while talking to media expressed that the present government is power hungry and still fail to hear the cries of the common man.
