IMPHAL, January 25: With an objective to repeal AFSPA from the state and supporting the protest of Irom Sharmila,a black badge protest was held at Uripok Cheirap court area by All Manipur Rickshaw Drivers and Pullers Welfare Association. The advisor of the association, Yumnamcha Dilipkumar talking at the spot to mediapersons said that AFSPA has been imposed for many decades in Manipur. Behind the veil of the black law, countless persons have been killed including women and children. The Jeevan Reddy commission had announced that the Act should be repealed and is not compatible with the present times. However, ignoring all this, the Act is still imposed in the state by the centre.
He further stated that, Irom Sharmila has been fasting for more than fourteen years and there has been no positive effect, the government does not consider the issue at all. It is high time that the public from all walks of life should stand united and protest to scrap the Act from the state, he said. The rickshaw drivers were flagged off from the spot and later the flags were distributed to other rickshaw parking areas
A similar protest was also held at Ima Keithel and organized by Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Semgat Sagat Lup. Secretary of the organization, Pebam Ibeni Devi led the protest and black badges were distributed to the women vendors.