Actor highlights human rights fight in Manipur

LEHRAGAGA: Manipur and Punjab may not have much in common other than the fact that they are both states of India. However, there is something that links the disparate provinces - human rights activists' opposition to Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
Irom Sharmila's fight against the Act is also generating interest here as well. Pune-based theatre activist Rekha Thakur is here to win support of like-minded people for Irom's single-handed struggle that has lasted 11 years.
The 32-year-old is in Punjab to stage the 40-minute single-actor play 'Le Mashale' (a woman with torch), which intends to give expression to struggle for human rights. She is not allowing the linguistic barrier to come in her way and is making people understand difficulties being faced by Manipuri people due to AFSPA.
"Young girls are being subjected to sexual harassment and are being raped by members of armed forces as personnel have great powers because of AFSPA. When Irom tried to oppose that, she too was made to face the heat," said Thakur.
She added that she and another theatre activist, Ojas SV, were performing 'Le Mashale' across the country. Till now, the play has been staged 250 times in Hindi, English, Marathi and Malyalam and now, Punjab is on its radar.
Director and presenter Ojas SV, told The Times of India from Pune that though frail, Irom was very determined. He stated that eminent writer Mahashweta Devi had said the century would be known for the determination and struggle that Irom had put in.