Writer Charles Chasie, Neichute Duolo, former vice president of Naga Hoho G Gaingam, prominent journalist Bano Haralu, activist N Diswang Hau, Hekani Jakhalu, noted Naga thinker Niketu Iralu and others, in a joint statement conveyed a message: “Whatever Irom Sharmila undertakes, let it be a success.”
A statement said Irom Sharmila’s unyielding, non-violent fight to get the Government of India to consign the Armed Forces Special Powers Act to the dustbin of India’s history of dealing with the North East region has started to catch the attention of the people of India. “The Act cannot stand scrutiny. Responsible Indians should be ashamed of it and the other inhuman measures adopted in the NE region to protect India’s security and interest, that is, of the mainland.
The arbitrary powers it authorises are similar to those in the racist laws that apartheid South Africa employed to brutally suppress Africans and Asians it considered inferior,” it added.
The prominent Naga personalities said Sharmila’s courageous fight against the AFSPA has been sustained throughout especially by the formidable support of the defiant women of the Meira Paibis (women activists). “Nagas have been equally outraged by the Act and for a longer duration. It is not worthy of Mahatma Gandhi’s India.
The undersigned Nagas express their appreciation and support for Sharmila’s protest. They believe Nagas widely share the sentiment. The Act was originally promulgated in 1958 to deal with the extraordinary situation arising from the assertion of the Nagas. Therefore, knowing what it means, we express our anguish and solidarity to all the people affected by the Act which is in force today in all the “disturbed areas” of the North East and Jammu & Kashmir,” the statement said.