Dear Friends,

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)

Date: August 26, 2004
Venue: Vanmalli Hall, Dadar (W), Mumbai

Time: 5.00 PM to 7:00 PM

We appeal to all organisations to support this cause and join in this effort. Organisations interested in joining 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 or <lokrajsangathan@yahoo.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