Iboyaima Laithangbam
IMPHAL: The All-Manipur Rickshaw Drivers and Pullers' Welfare Association took out a massive rally here over the weekend extending moral support to Irom Sharmila whose fast-unto-death demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 will complete 10 years on November 2.
The rally was led by five women vigilantes locally known as Meira Paibis. The women are the leaders of the Save Sharmila Organisation.
Traffic in the city came to a standstill for several hours during the rally.
A spokeswoman of the women vigilantes said there would be a series of public functions after November 2 to demand the repeal of the AFSPA. She said that if the Act was not repealed now Ms. Sharmila, whose health is deteriorating, might die soon. She is now lodged in a hospital room here which has been declared a sub-jail. She is kept alive through nose feeding.
Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said it was not possible to repeal the AFSPA as it would amount to giving a blank cheque to the militants. He said that as a gesture to the people, he had lifted the AFSPA in seven segments from August 12, 2004. However, the militants were taking undue advantage of the relaxation.