August 24 and 26, 2004
Demonstration on Tuesday, 24 August 2004 from 4.30 pm onwards
Churchgate (outside platform no 4 opposite Western railway Headquarters)
For the last month and more, the people of the state of Manipur have taken to the streets to demand the withdrawal of the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from their state. Due to this Act being in force, security forces have killed with impunity hundreds of innocent Manipuris over the last many years. The current revolt has been sparked off with the brutal rape and murder of Manorama Devi by the security forces. If the entire population of a state is so vehemently struggling against this unjust law, we, as fellow citizens, must respect their sentiments…as must the rulers. It is necessary today for all democratic minded people to express solidarity with the just struggle of the Manipuri people to get the Armed Forces Act withdrawn.
In order to inform the people of Mumbai about, and express our solidarity with, the just demands of the people of Manipur, we are holding a joint demonstrations with different organisations.
Lokshahi Hakk Sangathana, CPDR and others
***
Public Meeting on Manipur, 26 August 2004, Vanmalli Hall, Dadar, Mumbai
Manipur – “A jeweled land” has been under undeclared emergency under the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 since September 1980. The state continues to be ignored by policy makers, the government and the larger Indian public despite daily abuses of human rights.
The protest was sparked by the death of 32-year-old Thangjam Manorama whose bullet ridden body was found on July 10 after soldiers of the paramilitary Assam Rifles picked her up from her home on the charge of alleged links with separatist rebels. Protests led by a coalition of women`s organisations in Manipur have since been escalating, primarily demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Assam and Manipur) Specials Powers Act. This legislation gives sweeping powers to the army of detaining any person for months without legal redressal on suspicion of being a militant or a supporter to the militant cause.
To express support and solidarity to the people in Manipur a larger public meeting is being organized.
Speakers: Dr. Roy Laifungbam, CORE (Guwhati) and Atrex Shimrey, NESO (Assam)
Venue: Vanmalli Hall, Dadar (W), Mumbai
Time: 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
We appeal to all organisations to support this cause and join in this effort. Organisations interested in joining this effort please e-mail to or write to us at India Centre for Human Rights & Law, CVOD Jain High School, 4th Floor, 84, Samuel Street, Dongri, Mumbai – 400 009. Tel.: 2343 9651 / 2343 6692. Email: huright@vsnl.com
Aawaaz – e – Niswan
Bombay Sarvodaya Friendship Centre
Ekta
Forum
India Centre for Human Rights and Law
Justice & Accountability Matter, Program of WRAG
Lok Raj Sangatan
Maharashtra Kamgar Sangharsh Samiti
Maharashtra Sarvodaya Mandal
Mumbai Jilla Sarvodaya Mandal
Mumbai Lok Samiti
Narmada Bachao Andolan
Nirbhay Bano Andolan
