On the eve of her scheduled visit to Manipur, about a hundred social activists, historians, academics, students and writers have urged UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to meet Irom Chanu Sharmila who has been struggling for the past 10 years for removal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
In a statement here on Thursday, they urged Ms. Gandhi as Chairperson of the National Advisory Council “to go beyond political affiliations by meeting Irom Sharmila on her visit and initiate proceedings to end the undemocratic ways in which Irom Sharmila's freedom of liberty and speech have been taken away from her.” Ms. Gandhi is scheduled to visit Manipur on Friday to inaugurate some developmental projects in the troubled North Eastern State.
