Irom Sharmila's supporters attacked in Delhi

A group of unidentified people in Delhi Wednesday attacked the supporters of Manipuri activist Irom Sharmila Chanu, who is on hunger strike for repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the north-eastern state.

The incident took place near Kingsway Camp area of north Delhi at around 2:30 pm.

People from Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC), who are campaigning nationwide in Sharmila's support, were on a tour when they were attacked by a group that raised slogans of "Bharat Mata ki jai" and "Vande Mataram".

"We were taking out a caravan when some people came shouting slogans. They asked us to stop, and when we refused, they manhandled us and splashed black ink on our clothes," said Faisal Khan, coordinator of the Save Sharmila Jan Caravan.

He added that even after police was informed, no action was taken.

"The group first raised slogans against us. In Gandhian style, we started singing Gandhian songs; irked by this, the group attacked our people," said Khan.

As a part of the campaign, SSSC has organized a Srinagar to Imphal - Save Sharmila Jan Caravan covering 4,500 km across 10 states. The Caravan that started on Oct 16 from Srinagar reached Delhi Wednesday.

The AFSPA, in force in the northeast and Jammu and Kashmir, gives the armed forces legal immunity for their actions. Sharmila has been on fast for the last almost 11 years for repeal of the act.