Irom Sharmila completes ten years of Fasting

Irom Sharmila began her protest after the Malom massacre where 10 civilians were gunned down by the Armed Forces on 2 November 2000. AFSPA provides special powers to arrest, detain and even kill civilians on suspicion.

In order to commemorate her ten years long struggle, Just Peace Foundation, a trustee managed by Irom Singhajit the brother of Irom Sharmila organised a 5 days festival in Imphal titled 'Festival of Hope, Peace and Justice. The 5 days long festival was marked by plays of protest, public meeting, conference discussing AFSPA 58, candle light vigil and an all community prayer. A bike rally and a youth peace concert was opposed and banned by the government.

The festival was attended by human rights activists, lawyers, filmmakers and writers from across different parts of India. They also vehemently opposed the government when it refuse to give permission to meet Irom Sharmila who is confined to a security ward in JN Hospital in the city. And warned that from 6th November to 10th December, various events would be organised across the cities of India to show solidarity to Sharmila's struggle.