SSSC Statement: We condemn the army verdict of Pathribal Fake encounter & demand its re-opening and repeal of AFSPA

It is sad that in the world's democracy, that army has once again overruled the CBI and the Supreme Court. The army has closed the court martial of its officers who were found guilty of fake encounter of Pathribal, J&K by CBI after which the Supreme Court of India had asked the Army to either provide sanction of prosecution against them or to do court martial for these officers.

The army has closed the court martial on the grounds that there was no evidence against their officers, whereas the CBI had already investigated the matter and found that it was a conspiracy where these officers had picked on innocent civilians to create an impression that the militants responsible for the Chhatisinghpora killing have been neutralized.

It was one of the few cases that had managed to go up till the Supreme Court and in which the Supreme Court accepting the CBI version had directed the army to take action in 2012. But dramatically, after two years, the army closed the court martial file on 24 Jan 2014 and therefore to an extent has overruled the CBI and even Supreme Court. It is also to be noted that how Army opposed the case and argued that no case can be registered against its officers under the veil of AFSPA as it provides impunity and that it requires prior sanction of central government to prosecute as per Section 7 of AFSPA.

Anyone who believes in justice with equality should not accept such rules and must demand to scrap AFSPA. Even in many other cases, AFSPA has proved to be a draconian law and has abetted human rights violations through fake killings, torture and rapes. With time, because of the impunity and no sanction granted by central government to prosecute an armed personal, this has became a habit and mindset of deployed security personals and consequently a danger for all those living in AFSPA-imposed areas.

We believe in truth, justice and peace for all without any discrimination. We do not support any form of violence and we believe that it is a duty of the armed personnel that they must respect every human being and follow the path of justice and truth rather. They must know that just by donning the uniform, they do not get any authoritative command of violence or killing, rather they get a responsibility to protect people and not to harm them. We also believe that being a part of the Indian department of governance, army must respect the investigation and instructions of central agencies as well as of the judiciary.

With these sentiments, we hereby demand and hope that our demands will be heard.

Our demands:
Re-open the Pathribal Case & Respect Supreme Court Instruction & CBI Findings
Provide the sanction to prosecute the officers
Repeal AFSPA from J&K and the North-East

Statement endorsed by:

Antony Arulraj, Advocacy officer, Hotline - Delhi
Asad Ashraf, Jamia Student's Solidarity Forum
Babloo Loitongbam, Human Rights Activist
Debabrata Roy Laifungbam, Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and the UN
Devika Mittal, Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign,
Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, RTI and Social Activist, J&K
Dr. Walter Fernandes, Senior Scholar and Activist
Haseeb Mustafa Alvi, Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign
Kamayani Bali Mahabal, Sr Advocate and Activist
Kiriti Roy, Program Against Custodial Torture and Impunity
Kumar Sundaram, Activist, Co Editor-India Resists.Com
Madhuresh Kumar, National Alliance of People's Movement
Ovais Sultan Khan, Social Activist, Delhi
Prithvi Sharma, Indian Community Activists Network
Prof. Nandini Sundar, Acdemician- Delhi University, Activist
Prof. Ritu Diwan, Academician-University of Mumbai, Activist
Ravi Nitesh, Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign
Sankara Narayanan, Human Rights Activist
Subash Mohapatra, Global Human Rights Commission
Suresh Bhat B., Human Rights Activist
Tahir Ahmad, Mission Bhartiyam, J&K
Tanushree Gangopadhyay, Activist, Ahemdabad,Gujrat
Tanveer Hussain Khan, Political Activist, Srinagar, J&K
V. Arun Kumar, Political Activist, Delhi

Sensitivities Killed Nationality Fragmented

by Prof. V P Srivastava

After the bus gang-rape of Delhi, questions are raised: when crime is being committed, why do the people look the other way? People’s sensitivity is questioned.  Massacre of eleven innocent people in Manipur, unquestioned by the government shook the conscience of a young lady, who goes on a self-sacrificing, non-violent fast against the law that justifies this brutality. What is expected of a person with a conscience? ....Probably , we need to learn to kill our conscience to be a law-abiding citizen! The Indian state is forcing with guns generations after generations in Manipur to learn to kill any sensitivity any humanity within.

Supreme Court responding to Hegde’s committee’s report on fake encounters in Manipur observed,‘ This is not the best way to integrate(north-east) people. It is the best way to alienate them.’ I wonder how many years it takes the BEST WAY to achieve its objective of ALIENATION completely. Has not the BEST WAY already achieve its objective in more than half century of persecution?

Irom Sharmila, the rarest of the rare species of human being that she belongs, possesses empathy for every human being and the Himalayan courage to take upon a life-time struggle to undo the wrong. In her poems, ‘to spread the fragrance of peace for future generations, she wishes her mortal remains to turn into ores of mines’---a living Gold Mine of Highest Human Values being herself! Full of humility, in another poem, she seeks support, ‘My hands be given to you, Greet me Please’. I cannot forgive myself for her personal suffering, and the state-caused miseries around, being a beneficiary of the system. We have looked upon mythological (not historical) Bheeshma among the tallest for taking the most difficult pledge (not to marry for peace in the royal family). And Lo! Here, there is a real human being in flesh and blood transcending basic human needs and senses of taste for the cause of Peace and Justice.

I can recall only one occasion in my last fifty years of adult life before, when I rushed to have a glimpse of a mortal being. It was to see Mother Teressa. On March 4, 2013, I had taken the side-gate to enter Patiala House Court in Delhi, to avoid police barriers. And I was there to hear her words ‘love for life’ and court’s words ‘respect you’ for the accused and its helplessness that,’....AFSPA is a political decision’. Not satisfied with only few minutes in the court corridor, I accompanied Delhi University students to Manipur House. After waiting for 2-3 hours for her feeding and the required rest, I was lucky to listen to her half an hour interaction with the youth at the outside of the building within the premises of Manipur House.

Many of Delhi University students were known to me, having met them on Nov. 6, 2012 Solidarity fast at Rajghat. I was particularly pained to find almost all students belonging to Manipur only. But I had myself come to know about her visit only through the morning newspaper that day. During the waiting hours, on the road-side meeting at Manipur House, the deep-rooted feeling of being discriminated and the anger against draconian AFSPA dominated the discussion. It was important to share with them the exploiting character of the state, and helplessness of the poor, even in non-border states from Kalingnagar in Orissa in the East to curfew conditions at Jaitapur in Maharashtra in the West; people’s struggle for their water-rights in Uttarakhand to fishermen’s struggle at Kundankulam in South; and the unlawful long detentions of the tribals in Central India irrespective of race, religion or region. (It was satisfying to read an appeal recently to the judiciary by eminent citizens led by Justice V.R.Krishna Iyer  to look into the unlawful detention of the people in Central India. It was unfortunately to be soon followed by the news of killing of political leaders in Chattisgarh.)

Describing conditions in Manipur, Sharmila writes in her letter to Harvard University seminar ,"One side (the state )is adamant to rout the struggle of independence with Weapon of Violence while the other side firmly believes to win independence with it but, in the never-ending fight between the two sides, land’s potency for development, wealth and time is unnecessarily wasted making the land poorer.......making populace depend on other’s help." Further she laments "There is no one (government or the law) to  listen to complaints of women whose husbands and children have met a premature end to their lives and whose honour have been ravaged. amidst their heartfelt cries, in the light thrown by the flames of funeral pyres, outsiders project manipur as a place akin to hell." The concerns of the common man, so vividly described is of no concern to the politician’s selfish agenda revealed by massive corruption all around. Nevertheless, the politicians are successful in pitching the common man against others in the name of caste, creed, race or religion unmindful of the fragmentation of the society caused. The state government of Manipur, of the people of Manipur is little bothered to do away the Disturbed Area Act to put pressure on the Centre to repeal AFSPA. Both the governments know how to rule with divisive politics and ‘easy purchase of their (people’s) voting rights’.

Shall we look at the greatness of the common people with greater respect! Meira Paibi and Naga Mothers were given the highest Social Impact Award by Times of India this year for their work on anti-alcoholism and peace. Not only awards, their work (similar works elsewhere too) need be replicated at all-India level if the people’s welfare is to be the objective. Shall we not hope and work for a shift in political power (and policies) in the hands of such people’s groups, to the legacy of which Sharmila belongs! Gandhiji in a speech says, "Indeed, the test of orderliness in a country is not the number of millionaires it owns, but the absence of starvation among its masses.”

There cannot be greater evidence of helplessness and suffocation of judiciary than the Supreme Court making observation on Manipur conditions saying,” We can’t tell how sorrowful we are. What is the use of our sitting here?” Then look Justice Varma’s Committee, while making suggestions to strengthen anti-rape laws used the opportunity to recommend not to allow the immunity of AFSPA for rape. The recommendations of Justice Jeewan Reddy for repealing AFSPA is not being honoured. Justice Hegde’s committee exposes government’s crime on the people in Demo(n)cratic way! This brings us to the clear conclusion that in a democratic society if the state imposes such emeregency laws (like AFSPA)in any part of the country, beyond a stipulated period( six months or one year) then it automatically qualifies for judicial monitoring of law and order on six-monthly basis for its continuance, not to make a mockery of democracy.

The captivity of Sharmila for more than twelve years on charges of ‘attempt to suicide’ is another mockery of law. Her’s is a penance of the highest kind for peace and justice. In twelve years, there are twelve hundred ways of committing ‘suicide’, if that was at all the objective. Only a hypocrite would accuse her guilty of the crime. When attempted or suspected starvation could be averted by a mandatory visit to a government doctor every day, why she is deprived of civil liberties to the extent of not even allowed to meet the family?? Politicians can be very small people, not worthy of recognising the Greatness of Sharmila, but not the Highest Judiciary?

Manipur House displays posters of Olympians proclaiming them, ‘Pride of Manipur’. That day, in the energetic  and enthusiastic discussion of those promising students with Sharmila, all I could add, ‘Sharmila, you are Pride of India, an Inspiration to Youth.’ To me a pilgrimage to Manipur remains my cherished agenda.  

Prof. V P Srivastava taught in the Department of Mathematics at Delhi University. He can be reached at vp.srivastava@rediffmail.com 

PRESS RELEASE: SSSC Nationwide Event Series: Candle Vigil, Seminar and Play organized at Maharashtra and Delhi

             

4 NOV/SSSC-HQ

In the series of nationwide events planned under the initiative of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign in solidarity with completion of 13 Years of hunger protest of Irom Sharmila, SSSC today organized a Candle Vigil at Rajghat, New Delhi and A seminar and play at Wardha, Maharasthra. 

In Delhi, people agthered and lit up candles with songs for peace. They demand Release of Irom Sharmila. 

In Wardha, Maharasthra the event was organized at Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University where the organizer was kafila Sanskriti Manch. During the seminar here eminent academicians participated. Student Coordinator of SSSC at Wardha, Ms. kamala Thokchom told that Jaiparakash Dhumketu, Prof Devraj Sharma, Prof Krishna Kumar Singh and Vice Chancellor Vibhuti Narayan Rai participated in seminar. Brother of Irom Sharmila, Irom Singhjit participated in seminar. After the seminar, a candle vigil was organized from habib Tanveer Hall to Gandhi Hill. 

Prof Jaiprakash expressed sad about facing the problems of insurgence in NE India specially in Manipur,we should support and know the spirit n sacrifice of Irom Chanu sharmila he added.

Prof. Devraj Sharma kept his words targetting on those people who r handling the security persons as their weapon. Until we praised our voiced against such politicians , it'll be difficult to remove AFSPA.

Prof. Krishna Kumar Singh gave a brief about the literary qualities in Sharmila.

Irom shinghajit told about how sharmila started fasting and with the problems that has been facing since her fasting.

As a part of this program some poems n drama are also shown. The drama 'Santoolan doot' is written by Sanjeev Majdoor jha and directed by the actor himself by Bhagwat Prasad patel After all these a candle march was held upto gandhi hill.  

Lastly in presidential speech honourable V.C. Vibhuti Narayana Rai express of how MGAHV university is taking attention to the struggle of Sharmila since 5 yrs. Not only our university but almost all the people of India is with Sharmila

Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign

(A joint initiative of various organizations & movements)

Blog: www.repealafspa.blogspot.com   Web: www.savesharmila.org

E-mail:savesharmila@gmail.com        Facebook: Groups/savesharmilacampaign

We welcome your participation/suggestion/feedbacks. 

SOLIDARITY GATHERING AND MEMORANDUM HANDOVER IN HARYANA, J&K, M.P., U.P. AND NEW DELHI

SOLIDARITY GATHERING AND MEMORANDUM HANDOVER IN HARYANA, J&K, M.P., U.P. AND NEW DELHI 

facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/158993757644918/?source=1 

Blog: www.repealafspa.blogspot.com 

On the third day of Nationwide event series of protest by Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign, today protest and solidarity gathering were organized at many places.

Till the time of report, 

In New Delhi, many students and teachers turned up for one day fast at Arts faculty of Delhi University. This one day fast was coordinated by Prof V. P. Srivastava and youth activist Himad Peter. Administrations did not permit them to observe fast at Arts faculty and pushed them outside, however on outside, many more joined it and observed one day protest there. Core member Devika Mittal participated along with other volunteers. This gathering was addressed by many intellectuals and senior activists. Senior advocate and activist Prashant Bhushan also participated and addressed the gathering.     

In Panipat - Haryana, Deepak Kathuria , social activist, coordinated the solidarity gathering. Students came with posters of global peace activists and revolutionaries such as Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh and Dalai Lama. Some senior activists addressed the gathering and told about Irom Sharmila and the importance of non violence. 

In Srinagar-J&K, Wahid Dar, a youth activist and State Coordinator of J&K Democratic Youth Federation, handed over memorandum to DC, Srinagar. Though the DC office was not ready to accept the memorandum in starting, but later after expressing the concern and its importance they received the memorandum. 

In Vidisha-Madhya Pradesh, Arvind Lodhi, a core member of Mission Bhartiyam along with members Ashok Lodhi, Dr Hemant Srivastava and others, submitted a memorandum to District Magistrate. 

In Betul-Madhya Pradesh, Mithilesh Pande, a core member of Mission Bhartiyam, tried to submit the memorandum at DM office, but they were not received. In spite of lot of argument and discussions, DM office did not become ready to accept the memorandum. It will be sent through email and speed post now with a complaint copy to District Magistrate as well as Prime Minister of India office directly. 

In Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Saeed Khan Falahi, a peace and human rights activist, handedover memorandum to district magistrate. He submitted it with many signatures from supporters. He also narrated the district magistrate that how even the efforts taken in Shahjahanpur will contribute in the struggle to repeal AFSPA and how it is our duty to come forward to save our democratic values. 

BY

savesharmila@gmail.com 

Candle Vigils on Second Day of Nationwide Event Series to mark 13 Years of Irom Sharmila Hunger Protest

5 Nov/SSSC-HQ

Event page link: https://www.facebook.com/events/158993757644918/?source=1 

Draft memorandum at: http://www.repealafspa.blogspot.in/2013/11/memorandum-appeal-for-release-of-irom.html 

On the second day of Nationwide Event series to mark 13 years of completion of Irom Sharmila hunger protest , Students organized a candle vigil at Kanpur as well as Kaithi, Varanasi. 

The kanpur event was coordinated by K. M. Yadav , a youth activist of Asha Parivar. During the vigil, students were told about the contribution of Irom Sharmila in making the democracy strong through her non violent protest. Students also wrote letters to President of India to appeal for release of Irom Sharmila and to repeal AFSPA. 

In Varanasi, Event was organized and coordinated by Vallabh Pandey, a social activist associated with Asha Parivar and RTI forum U.P. During the event, a meeting was also held to spread the voice to demand Repeal AFSPA. 

On 6th Nov, again memorandum will be handedover in local district collector office on the name of Prime Minister of India in district Betul. Jhansi and Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh, In district Basti, Shahjahanpur in U.P. and in Srinagar, J&K.  

In Panipat, Haryana, a protest meet will be organized and memorandum will also be handed over. 

In Delhi, a protest will be organized at Delhi University tomorrow at Arts Faculty. 

TEAM SSSC

savesharmila@gmail.com 

Memorandum: Appeal for Release of Irom Sharmila Chanu and Demand to Repeal AFSPA

 

 

 

Date: ……………………………

 

To,

 

The Prime Minister of India.

 

Through: District Magistrate, ……………………….....(District/State)

 

Memorandum: Appeal for Release of Irom Sharmila Chanu and Demand to Repeal AFSPA

 

Dear Sir,

 

I would like to draw your attention towards the struggle of Irom Sharmila Chanu, a lady who is on hunger protest in Manipur and now completed 13 years of her fast with demand of Repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

 

Sir, you already know that:

• For this non violent protest, Irom Sharmila is charged under Commit to Suicide Attempt and cases are lodged in Manipur and Delhi against her. She is under arrest in security ward of JLN Hospital, Imphal. You know that Irom Sharmila is not allowed to meet visitors and family members frequently and also that her protest is completely different from suicide attempt, and rather it is a fast , a non violent way to fight for a social cause.
• AFSPA has already proven a law that violated human rights. Hundreds of cases regarding fake killings, rapes and loot were reported in the veil of this act. You know that how this act is providing extraordinary powers to security personals and even impunity where no case can be registered against any security personal without pre sanction approval from central government for the areas where AFSPA is imposed. Sadly, probably not a single person prosecuted for any crime among all the reported cases as government never allowed any sanction.

 

You know, that many national and international human rights activists and organizations, Peace activists, Nobel Peace prize winner and other individuals along with people of AFSPA imposed areas, came in support of Irom Sharmila. You know that UN has already asked to repeal this act and recently NHRC in its visit expressed his concern over restrictions in meeting with Irom Sharmila. Recently Amnesty International also expressed concern and launched a petition to Release Sharmila. You also know that even on humanitarian ground, a non violent struggle by a person is something that she valued. You know that we all have been learnt to value truth, justice, equality and non violence. It is also a matter of concern that ignoring her demand that is continue even in 14^th year of her non violent protest, may have indirect effects that can go against the very faith in justice, democracy, non violence and peace.

 

In view of these , I/we hereby submitting this memorandum as a part of national solidarity in support of the completion of 13 years of Irom's fast. I/ We demand:

• To Release Irom Sharmila from all the charges.
• To Repeal AFSPA from all AFSPA imposed areas in India.

 

By:

  

………………………………….(Name/Organization/District/State/E-mail)

…………………………………..

……………………………………

………………………………………

……………………………………….

 

For Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC)

Blog: www.repealafspa.blogspot.com Web: www.savesharmila.org E-mail: savesharmila@gmail.com

 

*Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC) is a nationwide protest and a joint initiative of various organizations and movements that is struggling for Repeal AFSPA and to support Irom Sharmila. We already had various events throughout India with support of lakhs of our supporter.

*District Magistrate office is requested to provide a receiving of this memorandum.  

PRESS RELEASE: Nationwide Solidarity Events of SSSC with 13 Years of Irom Sharmila's Fast

New Delhi / 04 NOV/ SSSC-HQ

With completion of 13 Years of fast by Irom Sharmila, SSSC (Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign) planned a nationwide solidarity event that will be observed at various places. 

During these solidarity events that is to be organized during 4,5,6 November, various organizations and groups are organizing events. These events include Public meeting to memorandum submission. 

With the recent campaign initiated by Amnesty International, for release of Irom Sharmila; SSSC also trying to spread the appeal of Amnesty during its planned events throughout India. 

SSSC, in its statement told that it is campaigning for Repeal AFSPA and its coordinators, members and supporting organizations are organizing events throughout India, we in our memorandum demand for Repeal AFSPA. We also endorse Amnesty Appeal of Release of irom Sharmila and we demand for it. We are trying to spread the Amnesty missed call support registering number 1800 200 009 , so that those who are not directly involved in demand, atleast can register their support through just a missed call. 

Deatils regarding events will be sent later and will be published at SSSC official blog www.repealafspa.blogspot.com 

Facebook Event Join at: https://www.facebook.com/events/158993757644918/?source=1

Sign Amnesty Petition at: http://act.amnesty.org.in/release_irom_sharmila 

or to support, Just Give a missed call: 1800 200 0059

Till Now confirmed Actions:

Kerla:
5 Nov 5 PM Public Meeting of SSSC at Gandhi Park, Tiruvanantpuram. Coordinated By Jayachandran Jayachandran RamachandranThe Civil Rights And Social Justice Society(CRSJS) (Mobile: 9846023112) 

Delhi : 
4th Nov: Candle Vigil, Samta Sthal, Rajghat. Coordinated By: Qamar Qamar Intakhab and Richa for SSSC, 9990505438) 

6th Nov: One Day Sit-in Protest, Arts Faculty, University of Delhi. Coordinated By: Prof V. P. Srivastava & Hidam Peter, 8750920261) 


Maharashtra:
$ Nov: Talk Show & Play 4th Nov, Mahatma Gandhi Antarashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya. Coordinated By: Kamala Kamala Thokchom Student Coordinator-SSSC 

Madhya Pradesh:
6th Nov: Vidisha, Memorandum Handover to PM Through DM: Coordinated By Arvind Kumar Arvind Kumar Lodhivand Ashok Lodi (Coordinator- Mission Bhartiyam, 8085855899)

6th Nov: Betul, Memorandum Handover to PM Through DM:
Coordinated By Mithilesh Pande (Coordinator-Mission Bhartiyam, 9840508639) 

6th Nov: Jhansi, Memorandum Handover to PM Through DM:
Coordinated By Kashif Ahmed Faraz (Coordinator-SSSC, 8802879246) 

Uttar Pradesh:
5 Nov: Candle Vigil, Asha Centre-Varanasi. Coordinated By: Vallabh Pandey , ASHA & RTI Campaign U.P.

5 Nov: Protest & Memorandum Handover, D M Office, Basti. Coordinated By:Saurabh Srivastava, 9412774824)

6 Nov: Memorandum Handover, D M Office, Shahjahanpur. Coordinated By: Saeed Khan Saeed Khan Falahi


Gujrat:
4th Nov: Ahemdabad Memorandum submission. Coordinated By Bilal Kagzi , Coordinator SSSC 

Contact us: savesharmila@gmail.com 
By: All supporting Organizations and Individuals, Members of SSSC. For any help, contact us at 9958907799 or at 9582129927

SAVE SHARMILA SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN (SSSC

 

Sincerely:

TEAM SSSC

SAVESHARMILA@GMAIL.COM