Sunday 2 October 2016

PRESS RELEASE: SAVE SHARMILA SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN DISSOLVED


PRESS RELEASE: SAVE SHARMILA SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN DISSOLVED


2nd October, International Day of Non Violence

New Delhi 


Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign, that was started in the year 2009 and was working towards Repeal of AFSPA through highlighting struggle of Irom Sharmila and to spread voice of Irom Sharmila throughout the country has decided to dissolve itself with the fact that a dedicated campaign was required to stand with sharmila as she was imprisoned and was unable to move frequently at various places to speak about her demand, but now she is free and therefore a dedicated campaign is not required. SSSC welcomes Sharmila's decision to leave fast and to take struggle in her hand and speaking about this through her approach and SSSC stands with her in this decision, however as SSSC is a non political movement and was specifically structured for the cause, it cannot become associated with any politician.


SSSC during all these years of ground struggle remained a movement that was supported by people and sustained without any funding from national or international organizations. It completely championed itself in bringing the cause of Irom sharmila in mainstream through its dedicated approach and innovative campaigns. SSSC was the campaign that revealed through its RTI that NHRC had not visited Manipur to investigate any human rights violations or to meet Irom sharmila during 2000 to 2011. Later, SSSC delegation met with NHRC chairpersons two times and on this memorandum cause of AFSPA was first time discussed before NHRC meeting with NGOs. SSSC has organised documentary screenings and panel discussions at many educational institutions. SSSC has organized numerous public demonstrations, candle vigils, human chains, rallies etc in support of Irom Sharmila in various states and had also organized nationwide signature campaign that receieved lakhs of signatures from people and even it was automatically organized in other counties. SSSC has also led 4500 km Srinagar-Imphal yatra to highlight struggle of Irom sahrmila and has written numerous letters to concerned authorities and government. SSSC convey its best wishes to Sharmila and also extend its sincere thanks to all who has been associated with the campaign throughout these years and made it one of the most recognized voices.


SSSC decided to dissolve the campaign on this day of Gandhi birth anniversary as it is the day known as International Day of Non Violence. SSSC stands with the cause of Repeal AFSPA from all areas of North East and J&K. SSSC has been now dissolved and a new and fresh campaign , with another name and new team would be start for the cause of Repeal AFSPA.



Ravi Nitesh

Convener- Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign

+91-9958907799

savesharmila@gmail.com     ravinitesh@gmail.com

Jayachandra Ramchandran- Kerla, Md. Tanveer- Tamilnadu, Guddi- Maharashtra, Mithilesh Pandey- Madhya Pradesh, Gufran Khan- Uttar Pradesh, Subhajit- Kolkata, Zaheeb Ajmal- Bihar, Pankaj Bhushan- Jharkhand, Devika Mittal- Delhi, Deepak- Assam and others. 

--
Regards,
 
Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign
(A joint initiative of various organizations & movements)
Facebook: Groups/savesharmilacampaign


Monday 5 September 2016

GATHERING IN SOLIDARITY WITH IROM SHARMILA AND ANTIAFSPA

9 August 2016: New Delhi and Hyderabad


On 9th August, even as Irom Sharmila broke her sixteen-year long fast, peoplegathered in New Delhi in solidarity with her indomitable spirit. Academicians, students and human rights activists, gathered at JantarMantar, New Delhi, and expressedsolidarity through songs, poetry, talks, and a candle-light vigil. The mood was upbeat, with a large turn-out -- over a hundred people on a working day, despite rainy weather and short notice.


The group issued a statement which noted, 'Today, Irom Sharmila makes a move towards freedom, by giving up her fast, which has lasted nearly 16 years. We feel deep respect for Irom Sharmila's non-violent struggle, and support her decision to give up the fast. The struggle for peace and justice will continue."






The solidarity event was a spontaneous initiative arising from heart-felt respect. The venue reflectedthis, filled as it was with posters, paintings and banners about the struggles by Irom Sharmila,MeiraPaibis (women's groups, literally women holding `mashaals'), and other civil society groups in Manipur. The event was initiated by two independent voluntary groups, Sampurna Trust and Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign.


Participants included women's movement activists RunuChakraborty, Shanti and Indira Mukherjee; MonishaBehl of North-East Network; journalists Pamela Philipose and SujataMadhok (President of Delhi Union of Working Journalists); NAPM (National Alliance of People's Movements) activists Shabnamand Vimalbhai; theatre artistes Nisha, Seema, AyushChoudhary and Afaqullah (who came from Faizabad, U.P.); human rights activists Rita Manchanda and Sehjo Singh; labour activistsRakhiSehgal, andR.Geetha of PenurammaIyakkam, Chennai; SagariRamdas and Madhoo who work with adivasi groups in Andhra Pradesh; women's organizations Sama and Saheli;academicians Mary Johnand AnuradhaMarwah Roy; students from JNU, Delhi University, South Asia University; and several others.


Many people have been inspired over the years by Sharmila's struggle, and this was evident in the energy of the gathering.The group sang movement songs with great feeling, attracting the attention of people from near-by protests and dharnas–songs of struggle such as `Issliyeraahsangharshki ham chune'; `Khamoshitodovaqtaagaya'; `Mil kechalo'; and several others. Some read out poems they have written for or about Sharmila, including writerSagariChhabra: "You resist violence by denying yourself taste/ Make haste, oh world, listen to this voice…."


In its statement, the group noted the historical significance of 9 August: on this day, in 1942, the British government arrested Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders, and on 15 August 1942, promulgated the Armed Forced Special Powers Ordinance, to quell the Quit India movement. Later -- in 1958 -- the Indian government promulgated the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), and subsequently imposed it in several parts of the country. AFSPA perpetuates violation of fundamental democratic rights by granting excessive powers, and impunity, to armed forces.


Atrocities against ordinary citizens have been documented over the years. Recently, the Supreme Court of India ruled that over 1,500 cases of alleged `fake encounters' in Manipur are to be thoroughly probed. The first six cases investigated by the Supreme Court have all proved to be fake encounters: innocent persons have been killed, by armed forces or police commandos. The Court has questioned impunity, ruling that armed forces cannot use excessive force even in areas that come under AFSPA.


The group asserted: `Humane, democratic solutions are needed to solve real problems faced by people; dialogue rather than repression. We stand in solidarity with democratic people's movements in Manipur, and elsewhere in the country being waged by dalits, minorities and other marginalised sections. We -- ordinary people-- care for democracyand human rights, peace and good governance, accountability and justice.  We feel that we are all responsible for helping bring this about. We need to listen, learn, and together search for ways to move ahead, to actually resolve many very difficult situations.'


While speaking at the gathering, senior social activistShanti di noted that Irom Sharmila's struggle is associated not only with AFSPA, but in fact with the conscience of all of us. We should be ready to speak out and protect democratic values, remaining alive to violations anywhere in the country.


Noted historian Uma Chakravarty said that the struggle against AFSPA and other such laws existed well before Irom Sharmila started her fast. She became well-known since she continued her struggle very strongly and peacefully. What Irom did is for the people and most importantly the cause. People are suffering atrocities in all areas where AFSPA is imposed including North East and Jammu & Kashmir.


Political scientist DeeptiMehrotra, author of the book Burning Bright: Irom Sharmila and the Struggle for Peace in Manipur, noted that AFSPA has failed as a counter-insurgency measure. To bring about peace, we must take responsibility collectively, rather than any one person bearing the burden. She proposed observing 9 August as a day of reflection upon our own ethics and politics, upon freedom, justice, peace -- and hope.


ShriSatyapal, senior Gandhian and trustee of Servants of Peoples Society,reiterated that we all support Irom Sharmila, and stated that the government'spolicy of ignorance has been exposed by her struggle. He warned the state that with its tools of ignorance and atrocities, democratic values will only become weak and produce dangerous results for the country.


Ravi Nitesh, Convener of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC),noted that Sharmila's decision to enter electoral democracy reflects how determined she is. She is ready to change her form of struggle, in pursuit of the objective – a positive sign that activists can be quite flexible in their approach; although the government remains rigid. The Indian government has failed to respond to this unprecedented democratic and fully non-violent struggle.


Devika Mittal from SSSC expressed her opinion that whatever decision Sharmila takes, it is her life and she is definitely free to live it in her own way. Her struggle has worked as a torch bearer for many of us and we believe that the light of hope that she has shown us will continue through collective struggle.


Vani from Saheli informed the gathering that several activists have launched a global women's signature campaign expressing solidarity for Sharmila and demanding repeal of AFSPA. ShrutiAchesh from SSSC said that our struggle for justice and peace must go forward and we must try to meet every month to discuss the strategies to take this movement further.

 

Social anthropologist Felix Padel noted that people across the world are today struggling against militarization and destructive development, and expressing solidarity with all these, he sang `Blowingwith the wind', a song of sensitive, intelligent protest.


As darkness fell, each person in the gathering lit a candle or diya, as a mark of their contribution to carrying on the struggle for justice, peace and democracy in Manipur and the rest of the country. Everybody sang 'Tuzindahaitohzindagikijeetpeyaqeenkar', a movement song expressing deep faith in the forces of life and hope.



A Sister Event – in Hyderabad

Activists in Hyderabad too held a solidarity event on 9th August, at Lamakaan. The Delhi and Hyderabad teams had loosely coordinatedthe planning of both events.

Forum for Social Justice, Hyderabad organized a solidarity meet to mark the historic moment.There were about thirty odd people in Lamakaan yesterday. It was a collaborative effort wherefour people read out a brief introduction to Manipur's history, Sharmila, the Meira Paibis' protests, AFSPA etc.


Six people -- activists, PhD scholars and researchers -- recited poems from the North East in English, including a poem by Irom Sharmila. Vasudha Nagraj had gone through the 180-pages Supreme Court judgment (on the PIL by EEVFAM) and culled out significant points, which she read out. A couple of people spoke, including Satyavati, who runs Bhumika, a feminist collective and a magazine in Telugu; who had met Irom Sharmila. Vimala, an activist, sang songs in Telugu about continuing a struggle against repression and violence. A photo essay on Irom Sharmila by Jansen-Lonnquist, was screened to the background music of Dylan's 'Blowing in the wind'."


This song, coincidentally featured in both solidarity events ,is a passionate indictment of human apathy, and assertion of the necessity of empathy and empathetic action:


"How many years must the cannon-balls fly

Before they are finally banned?

…How many times can a man turn his head

And pretend that he just doesn't see?

…How many deaths must it take before he knows

Too many people have died?"

 

Credit for the feature: Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign &Sampurna Trust

 savesharmila@gmail.com 

 

Wednesday 10 August 2016

Press Release: Solidarity Action for Irom Sharmila in Delhi

10 August 2016, New Delhi

 

Press Release 

 

A solidarity action expressing deep respect for Irom Sharmila and supporting the ongoing struggle for justice by civil society in Manipur, was organized at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on 9 August. The solidarity event saw a large turn-out of over a hundred people, despite rainy weather. 

 

Participants included women's movement activists Shanti, Runu Chakraborty and Nandini Rao; author of Irom Sharmila's biography "Burning Bright" Deepti Priya Mehrotra; human rights activists Devika Mittal, Ravi Nitesh, Shruti Achesh and Rita Manchanda; historian Uma Chakravarty; Monisha Behl of North-East Network; senior journalists Pamela Philipose and Sujata Madhok (President, Delhi Union of Working Journalists); Servants of the People Society Trustee, octogenarian Shri Satya Paul; Activist Dipak Dholakia, NAPM (National Alliance of People's Movements) activists Shabnam and Vimal bhai; theatre activists Nisha and Afaqullah (he came from Faizabad, U.P, and joined in singing IPTA songs); R.Geetha of Penuramma Iyakkam, Chennai; Sagari Ramdas and Madhoo who work with tribal groups in Andhra Pradesh;  labor activist Rakhi Sehgal; academicians Mary John, Felix Padel and Anuradha Marwah Roy; NGOs Sama and Saheli; students from JNU, Delhi University, South Asia University; and several others. The solidarity action was organised by two autonomous groups, Sampurna Trust and Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign.

 

The people gathered sang movement songs -- songs of struggle, such as `Tu zinda hai to zindagi ki jeet mein yakeen kar' and `Khamoshi todo vaqt aa gaya'. Several persons have been inspired by Sharmila over the years, and this was evident in the energy of the gathering. Some read out poems they have written about Sharmila, including Sagari Chhabra: "You resist violence by denying yourself taste/ Make haste, oh world, listen to this voice…." 

 

The gathering noted that on 9 August 1942, the British government arrested Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders, and on 15 August 1942, it promulgated the Armed Forced Special Powers Ordinance, to quell the Quit India movement. In 1958, the Indian government promulgated the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), and subsequently imposed it in several parts of the country. People in Manipur, including human rights and women activists, are struggling for AFSPA to be repealed. The Act perpetuates violation of fundamental democratic rights by granting excessive powers, and impunity, to armed forces. Recently, the Supreme Court of India ruled that over 1,500 cases of alleged `fake encounters' in Manipur are to be thoroughly investigated; the first six cases investigated have all been proved to be fake encounters: killing of innocent persons, by armed forces or police commandos.  

 

The people gathered agreed that "humane, democratic solutions are needed to solve real problems faced by people; dialogue rather than repression." Each person lit a candle or a diya, as a mark of the continuing struggle for justice, peace and democracy in Manipur and the rest of the country. It is not necessary for one person to take the struggle onto her shoulders: the burden is shared by others in civil society. The group noted, "We care for democracy, peace, good governance and justice, and feel that we are all responsible for helping to bring this about. We need to listen, learn, and together search for ways to move ahead, to actually resolve many very difficult situations."

Press Release by  Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign & Sampurna Trust 

or any further information, contact 9958907799 (Ravi Nitesh) or 
9711793492 (Deepti Priya Mehrotra)




--
Regards,
 
Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign
(A joint initiative of various organizations & movements)
Facebook: Groups/savesharmilacampaign

 
We welcome your participation/suggestion/feedbacks. 

Monday 8 August 2016

INVITE: 9 August, 2.30 to 6.30 p.m., at Jantar Mantar: Solidarity Action with Irom Sharmila & Democratic Movements for Justice & Peace

9 August 2016: Marking Solidarity
2.30 to 6.30 p.m.: at Jantar Mantar
We hope to reflect on our own politics and ethics... on freedom, justice, peace... democracy... with songs, poetry, music, drawings, ... Some may want to fast during the day, in solidarity with Irom Sharmila's long fast. We would light candles, before we leave, ... towards the future.  



9 August 2016: A Day of Reflection

Reaffirming Solidarity -- Towards Justice, Peace, and Hope

   Today, Irom Sharmila makes a move towards freedom, by giving up her fast, which has lasted nearly 16 years. We feel deep respect for Irom Sharmila's non-violent struggle and her indomitable spirit, and support her decision to give up the fast. The struggle for peace and justice will continue.

    On 9 August, 1942, Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders of the Quit India movement were arrested. The British government promulgated the Armed Forced Special Powers Ordinance on 15 August 1942, to quell the Quit India movement.

   The government of India promulgated the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958; and subsequently imposed it in several parts of the country. People in Manipur, including Imas (`mothers': elderly women activists), Meira Paibis (women's groups, literally women holding `mashaals'), and many civil society groups, are struggling for AFSPA to be repealed, in the interests of peace and justice. They want good governance to be restored in the state. Experts argue that the Act perpetuates violation of fundamental democratic rights. It grants excessive powers, and impunity, to armed forces. Atrocities against ordinary citizens have been documented over the years.

     In 2012, the Extra Judicial Execution Victim Families Association (EEVFAM) filed a PIL in the Supreme Court of India, alleging 1,528 fake encounters in Manipur since the 1980s. The Court ordered investigation into six cases, all of which were proved to be fake encounters: killing of innocent persons, by armed forces or police commandos. The Court has ruled that all the remaining cases must be thoroughly probed. It has questioned impunity, ruling that armed forces cannot use excessive force even in areas that come under AFSPA.





    Humane, democratic solutions are needed to solve real problems faced by people; dialogue rather than repression. We stand in solidarity with democratic people's movements in Manipur, and elsewhere in the country -- being waged today by dalits, women, minorities, workers, people with disabilities, sexuality rights activists, and other marginalised sections. We -- ordinary people, students, teachers, feminists, activists -- care for democracy and human rights, peace and good governance, accountability and justice.  We feel that we are all responsible for helping to bring this about. We need to listen, learn, and together search for ways to move ahead, to actually resolve many very difficult situations. 


    We propose 9 August 2016, as a day of reflection: upon our own ethics and politics, upon freedom, justice, peace -- and hope. We will sit together that day, in quiet companionship. We will sit at Jantar Mantar -- from 2.30 to 6.30 p.m. Do join! We may sing some songs, read poetry, draw, sit in a circle, talk…; some may want to fast for the day, they could break their fast at 6. We would like to light candles as it gets dark. We are not planning this as a protest. Rather, a moment of quiet solidarity.

-          Shanti, Deepti Priya, Runu Chakraborty, Nandini Rao, Shraddha Chikerur, Uma Chakravarthy, Ravi Nitesh, Devika Mittal, Sampurna Trust, Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign, Ninglun Hanghal, Felix Padel, Malvika Gupta, Dhruva Narayan, Sunita Kumari ….

Please feel free to forward this to others who may be interesting in joining on the 9th. And, do bring along poetry, umbrella, mats, water, candle, posters, or anything else you'd like to share. This is a spontaneous action with no central organizing committee; your participation helps lend it meaning!







--
Regards,
 
Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign
(A joint initiative of various organizations & movements)
Facebook: Groups/savesharmilacampaign

 
We welcome your participation/suggestion/feedbacks. 

PRESS INVITE: 9 August, 2.30 to 6.30 p.m., at Jantar Mantar: Solidarity Action with Irom Sharmila & Democratic Movements for Justice & Peace

9 August 2016: Marking Solidarity
2.30 to 6.30 p.m.: at Jantar Mantar
We hope to reflect on our own politics and ethics... on freedom, justice, peace... democracy... with songs, poetry, music, drawings, ... Some may want to fast during the day, in solidarity with Irom Sharmila's long fast. We would light candles, before we leave, ... towards the future.  



9 August 2016: A Day of Reflection

Reaffirming Solidarity -- Towards Justice, Peace, and Hope

   Today, Irom Sharmila makes a move towards freedom, by giving up her fast, which has lasted nearly 16 years. We feel deep respect for Irom Sharmila's non-violent struggle and her indomitable spirit, and support her decision to give up the fast. The struggle for peace and justice will continue.

    On 9 August, 1942, Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders of the Quit India movement were arrested. The British government promulgated the Armed Forced Special Powers Ordinance on 15 August 1942, to quell the Quit India movement.

   The government of India promulgated the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958; and subsequently imposed it in several parts of the country. People in Manipur, including Imas (`mothers': elderly women activists), Meira Paibis (women's groups, literally women holding `mashaals'), and many civil society groups, are struggling for AFSPA to be repealed, in the interests of peace and justice. They want good governance to be restored in the state. Experts argue that the Act perpetuates violation of fundamental democratic rights. It grants excessive powers, and impunity, to armed forces. Atrocities against ordinary citizens have been documented over the years.

     In 2012, the Extra Judicial Execution Victim Families Association (EEVFAM) filed a PIL in the Supreme Court of India, alleging 1,528 fake encounters in Manipur since the 1980s. The Court ordered investigation into six cases, all of which were proved to be fake encounters: killing of innocent persons, by armed forces or police commandos. The Court has ruled that all the remaining cases must be thoroughly probed. It has questioned impunity, ruling that armed forces cannot use excessive force even in areas that come under AFSPA.





    Humane, democratic solutions are needed to solve real problems faced by people; dialogue rather than repression. We stand in solidarity with democratic people's movements in Manipur, and elsewhere in the country -- being waged today by dalits, women, minorities, workers, people with disabilities, sexuality rights activists, and other marginalised sections. We -- ordinary people, students, teachers, feminists, activists -- care for democracy and human rights, peace and good governance, accountability and justice.  We feel that we are all responsible for helping to bring this about. We need to listen, learn, and together search for ways to move ahead, to actually resolve many very difficult situations. 


    We propose 9 August 2016, as a day of reflection: upon our own ethics and politics, upon freedom, justice, peace -- and hope. We will sit together that day, in quiet companionship. We will sit at Jantar Mantar -- from 2.30 to 6.30 p.m. Do join! We may sing some songs, read poetry, draw, sit in a circle, talk…; some may want to fast for the day, they could break their fast at 6. We would like to light candles as it gets dark. We are not planning this as a protest. Rather, a moment of quiet solidarity.

-          Shanti, Deepti Priya, Runu Chakraborty, Nandini Rao, Shraddha Chikerur, Uma Chakravarthy, Ravi Nitesh, Devika Mittal, Sampurna Trust, Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign, Ninglun Hanghal, Felix Padel, Malvika Gupta, Dhruva Narayan, Sunita Kumari ….

Please feel free to forward this to others who may be interesting in joining on the 9th. And, do bring along poetry, umbrella, mats, water, candle, posters, or anything else you'd like to share. This is a spontaneous action with no central organizing committee; your participation helps lend it meaning!




Tuesday 26 July 2016

PRESS RELEASE: A WELCOME MOVE BY IROM SHARMILA: SSSC

A WELCOME MOVE BY IROM SHARMILA: SSSC 

New Delhi, 27 July 2016

Save sharmila Solidarity Campaign welcomes decision of Irom Sharmila to break her fast in coming days. SSSC believes that it is a befitting reply to Government's ignorance of her sixteen years of fast where an extra ordinary example of non violent appeal was made with the govt with demand to repeal AFSPA, but government not only ignored it and even tried to suppress it through lodging criminal cases against Sharmila.
 
SSSC knows about how Sharmila always told that she is just a common person without having any desire to be remembered as hero or to idolise her, but support and love of people recognised her for her extra ordinary struggle. This extra ordinary struggle also shows that how any common person with his/her commitment towards people's welfare , can pave the way of future. 

This time, there is a strong need to believe that coming in mainstream life will break the prison walls for irom sharmila and she would be able to live a life along with her contribution in struggle of people with all her capacity. What she are leaving behind will always be in history books of human rights and non violence. 

SSSC observes that by this move to announce breaking her fast shows that proof of failure of elected government of state and centre who never tried to meet her and to work on her demand. For a country like India, fast of Irom Sharmila was already a highlighted one and was seen as shameful for government and now when it is clear that government has not even moved an inch on this issue, Sharmila's decision to leave the struggle kept the blame upon government.  

Struggle of repealing AFSPA is struggle of people and must be fought by people together. Non violence should be the way and utilising democratic resources may be proved efficient in the struggle. 

As after breaking her fast, she would be free from criminal charges legally and SSSC is hopeful that she would be allowed to exercise her right of movement, SSSC would be honoured to invite her in Delhi for her first public lecture after consultation with her.  An all India delegation of SSSC would soon visit her in coming month. 

SSSC believes and demands that AFSPA must be repealed soon from all areas of North East and J&K. Save Sharmila Campaign will continue its struggle till Repeal of AFSPA from all areas. 

Ravi Nitesh
Convener
Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign 
Contact: +91-9958907799 ; ravinitesh@gmail.com 


Ram Mohan Rai (Haryana), Zaheeb Ajmal (Bihar), Md. Tanveer (Karnataka), Jaychandran Ramchandran (Kerla), Devika (Delhi), Gufran Khan (U.P.), , Arvind Lodi (M.P.), Subhojit (West Bengal), Guddi Behen (Maharashtra), Deepak Joshi (Assam) and other members from J&K and North East states  


--
Regards,
 
Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign
(A joint initiative of various organizations & movements)
Facebook: Groups/savesharmilacampaign

 
We welcome your participation/suggestion/feedbacks. 

Wednesday 13 July 2016

PRESS RELEASE ‘APEX COURT DECISION: A PARTIAL VICTORY OF DEMOCRATIC STRUGGLE’ - SSSC

PRESS RELEASE

'APEX COURT DECISION: A PARTIAL VICTORY OF DEMOCRATIC STRUGGLE' -  SSSC

New Delhi HQ

With the recent decision (interim judgment) of Supreme Court of India in the case of EEVFAM (Extra Judicial Killing Victim Families Association of Manipur) as petitioner 1 and Human Rights Alert as petitioner2 Vs Union of India, a strong signal has been sent by the Hon'ble Court about 'Equality before Law' and 'No one is above law'. It also strengthens the trust of people in the various forms of democratic struggle.

Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC) welcomes the wordings of the hon'ble court and believe that this will be seen as 'standard'  by the government and presently deployed security forces in various disturb areas of north east and elsewhere. SSSC also see that despite the long (and often unsuccessful) struggle of various organizations, victims and human rights practitioners in various cases, the spirit of struggle through peaceful and democratic ways has brought such a ray of hope that not only relevant with the case filed (of 1528 extra judicial killings) but also with so many other cases (reported and unreported) and stories as such judgments bring a sense of understanding and it builds trust of common people in pillars of democracy.

SSSC also see that how this decision  should also be read in contrast with the decision of Garo Hills where court has insisted 'to impose AFSPA' on Garo Hills as remedial measure. Here in decision of Supreme Court, it is very well quoted that deployment of army cannot be for indefinite time.

SSSC welcomes thoughtful words of Hon'ble court about the worry for kin of victims if they are entitled to have any rights other than receipt of monetary compensation. Quoting about 'Right to Truth' from 62nd session of Human Rights Commission by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, court observes that it is well associated in this case of extra judicial killings, and by this way, the apex court seems to have international standards on human rights issues that also gives positive signals for Indian democracy.   

With the list of 1528 cases of alleged extra judicial killings, 62 among them have been elaborated with all details and 10 among them have been specifically referred to court as eye witnesses for them were also available. It was also appealed with the court that FIRs were not registered by police despite several complaints against armed forces. It is truly appealed in the petition that even Human Rights Commission in Manipur is non operational.

SSSC welcome that court has taken cognizance and cleared much of ambiguities through its interim decision. SSSC see it as partial victory of people who are struggling for human rights and democracy in peaceful ways in North East. SSSC believe that a widespread coverage of this judgment also reflects about how non violent ways actually brings the real change in democratic process that not only affect those who are doing struggle but also set a precedent for future.  

'We also believe that in its final decision , court will ask for SIT (Special Investigation Team) for all these cases to get investigated and to make sure punishment for those who were involved in extra judicial killings. We see that Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Defence must also welcome it and this decision may pave the way for Govt of India to review and revoke AFSPA as well as to start giving sanctions for prosecuting security personal under civilian laws in case of complaints filed against them. '

SSSC takes it inspiration from all such peaceful efforts and also appeal Government of India to initiate meaningful dialogue with Irom Sharmila,who is in 16th year of her hunger protest and has adopted peaceful mean of struggle but that is largely ignored by government.

SSSC is writing to all political parties to extend support for Irom Sharmila and to ask government to take steps in this regard. SSSC also initiating next phase of its campaign to repeal AFSPA. 


S/d
Ravi Nitesh
Convener- Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign 

Ram Mohan Rai (Haryana), Zaheeb Ajmal (Bihar), Md. Tanveer (Karnataka), Jaychandran Ramchandran (Kerla), Devika (Delhi), Gufran Khan (U.P.), , Arvind Lodi (M.P.), Guddi Behen (Maharashtra), Deepak Joshi (Assam) and other members from J&K and North East states  



--
Regards,
 
Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign
(A joint initiative of various organizations & movements)
E-mail:savesharmila@gmail.com        Facebook: Groups/savesharmilacampaign

We welcome your participation/suggestion/feedbacks.