Irom Chanu Sharmila – Page 2

If people abandon me, I will go away, leave Manipur: Irom Sharmila

Source: Hindustan Times She was hailed as an icon for her 16-year fast that won her legions of supporters at home and acclaim across the world. But Irom Sharmila found herself lonely within hours of calling off her protest on Tuesday. In an interview to HT, the 44-year-old reflected on her struggle and her days […]

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Jantar Mantar meet acknowledges Sharmila

IMPHAL, Aug 10: Sampurna Trust and Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign jointly organized a solidarity action expressing deep respect for Irom Sharmila and supporting the ongoing struggle for justice by the civil society in Manipur at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi yesterday. The solidarity event saw a large turnout of over 100 despite rainy weather, said […]

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Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2016/08/jantar-mantar-meet-acknowledges-sharmila/

The AFSPA and Manipur: 10 key points

Source: Times of India On Tuesday, Manipuri activist Irom Charu Sharmila, known as the “Iron Lady of Manipur” is set to end a sixteen-year long fast which she began in 2000 to protest against the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA). She said in July that she would contest the 2017 Manipur Assembly polls […]

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Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2016/08/afspa-manipur-10-key-points/

Women activists protest Sharmila’s decision, block way

IMPHAL, Aug 9: Raising strong allegations of letting down their trust, women activists today protested Irom Chanu Sharmila’s decision of ending her marathon hunger strike. The women activists were also peeved by Sharmila’s intention to marry an NRI. After she was officially released from JNIMS security ward at around 4 pm, she addressed a press […]

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As announced Sharmila ends 16 years fast with a drop of honey… Says she will contest polls against Chief Minister

IMPHAL, Aug 9: As announced earlier, Irom Chanu Sharmila ended her world’s longest hunger strike that spanned around 16 years today. An emotional Sharmila tasted a drop of honey with her left hand to mark the symbolic end of her fasting before a huge number of media persons at 4.25 pm. She then announced that […]

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Irom Chanu Sharmila: Mr Bean in the Sherlock Holmes series

Asked and discussed with the passengers that we are going to Guwahati, and the driver was too determined to drive taking the lead. The decision of the driver can no longer be personalized when lots of lives are behind this, ‘Eche Leader/Driver.’ At a point the driver got herself in confusion thinking she is on […]

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Sharmila calls for plebiscite on Armed Forces Special Powers Act-1958

IMPHAL, January 2: Irom Chanu Sharmila today said a plebiscite on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 should be held for the people to decide whether the Act should continue or not. Speaking to media persons after she was produced before the court…

UN seat cannot be claimed by India without repealing AFSPA: SSSC

NEW DELHI, October 8: Irom Sharmila appeared in the Delhi Court on 6 and 7 October for the trial of the 2006 Jantar Mantar Case where Delhi Police lodged a

NEW DELHI, October 8: Irom Sharmila appeared in the Delhi Court on 6 and 7 October for the trial of the 2006 Jantar Mantar Case where Delhi Police lodged a case against her in section 309 of attempt to suicide, and during the hearing, she reiterated her truth that she is not committing suicide, instead she is appealing to protect the right to life, said a press release by Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC).

It said, SSSC volunteers met her during her court appearance, and in the hearing, she also reiterated the undemocratic and draconian effects of AFSPA and appealed for its repeal.

In the press release, SSSC stated that they consider the hearing as a way of suppression of voices of human rights and lodging her in jail with the reason of attempt to suicide, is a judicial failure and disrespect of human rights of world’s largest democracy.

If India is really serious to be known at global level with powers to take part in policy making and advisory for global issues through UN, it must have first and primary requirement of respecting human rights, said Ravi Nitesh, Convener of SSSC in the press release.

It said, SSSC supports Irom Sharmila in all her endeavour and struggle and the campaign has been continuously working since last many years against AFSPA, and moreover the campaign keeps its faith upon non violence struggle of Irom Sharmila and considers her as its leader.

SSSC has worked nationwide in last years to highlight struggle of Irom Sharmila and has organised numerous events, public demonstrations and other activities in almost all states of India and in few other countries to advocate Repeal of AFSPA from all regions, including state of North East Region and of J&K, and SSSC believes that its struggle is against state repression that anyone can see through AFSPA that is imposed in J&K and states of North east region, and therefore struggle will continue against all human rights violations by security forces in these regions, said the press release.

It further said, there have been many incidents of brutal mass-rapes that have been reported in past and justice still elude the victims, which have been proved not only by human rights’ organisations but also by government-appointed committees.

In the press release, SSSC has demanded the government to immediately pay attention towards repealing of AFSPA and also demanded both the state and central government to coordinate and cooperate with each other to end the impasse over AFSPA, for which, state leadership of central ruled party has already promised to repeal AFSPA in Manipur.

AFSPA creates corruption and becomes dangerous with absolute power diverting the normal way of working of security force personnel, which could be proven with so many examples and incidents of killings, rapes and disappearances by the security officials but nothing could be done against them even if evidences were provided before courts due to impunity under AFSPA (section 7), said SSSC in the press release.

SSSC further stated in the press release that India is being honoured globally but the undemocratic and inhuman act is also working to tarnish the image of the country and the demand to repeal AFSPA is not only at national level but also at a global level with international human rights’ organisations and activists advocating for it.

SSSC will continue its efforts and will be organising protests and active campaigning in coming months for advocating Repeal of AFSPA from everywhere, stated SSSC in the press release.

Sharmila fasting against AFSPA not onto death, Defence Witness asserts

IMPHAL, October 7: For the second consecutive day today, Irom Chanu Sharmila was produced before Akash Jain, the Metropolitan Magistrate, at the Patiala House Court, New Delhi in connection with

NEFIS activists with Irom Chanu Sharmila.

IMPHAL, October 7: For the second consecutive day today, Irom Chanu Sharmila was produced before Akash Jain, the Metropolitan Magistrate, at the Patiala House Court, New Delhi in connection with the case no. 476/02/2012 FIR No. 222/2006 Parliament Street Police Station.

Human Rights Alert executive director Babloo Loitongbam deposed before the Magistrate as the only defence witness and was cross examined by the Public Prosecutor, according to a press release of the HRA.

It said her matter was listed as item no. 43 by the court.

In his statement before the court, Babloo Loitongbam stated that he has known Irom Sharmila for more than 20 years for her social and political activism, it said.

He stated that he came to Delhi along with Sharmila on October 4, 2006 as she wanted to take her struggle to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 to Delhi and generate national interest, it said.

He told the court, on arrival they went to Gandhi Samadhi to pay respect, it said.

He had also said that in the evening they continued the dharna at the Jantar Mantar and they sought an appointment with the then Prime Minister and the Home Minister, it said.

Babloo also said that on the evening of October 6, 2006, some people came to check her health condition, but she told them that she does not need it, according to the statement.

Later a group of police personnel cordoned off the area, her supporters surrounded her but the police dispersed the supporters by the use of illegal force in violation of the fundamental rights of peaceful assembly and protest, he said, according to the statement.

He said thereafter Sharmila was arrested under a false charge under section 309 of the IPC (attempt to commit suicide), it added.

During the cross-examination by the additional Public prosecutor, Babloo firmly denied the suggestion that Sharmila was on a fast unto death on that particular day and explained that she was fasting until the AFSPA was repealed, it said.

There is an attempt to falsely represent her struggle by the State, he told the court, it said.

Further according to the statement, eminent social activist Medha Patkar had met the anti- Armed Forces Special powers Act 1958 crusader in the court house yesterday morning and suggested that a mass movement be started along with the women street vendors of Manipur.

It said in the evening yesterday, another eminent activist Swami Agnivesh visited her in Tikendrajit Bhavan and had an hour long conversation during which he assured her all support and solidarity.

The court has fixed December 15 and 16 for the date of the final hearing on the case, it said.

Meanwhile, according to a statement of the North East Forum for Internation Solidarity, activists of the forum met Irom Sharmila today and expressed their solidarity with her struggle against the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA).

It said NEFIS has pledged to wage a nationwide struggle against this draconian and anti-people law. AFSPA grants special powers to the armed forces, the most controversial being the legal immunity it provides to army officers, it said.

AFSPA is an anti-people, oppressive act, the law gives special powers for detaining, using lethal force and entering and searching premises without warrant. North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) demands that AFSPA should be repealed from all states, ending the miseries of the people, it said.

AFSPA has been condemned nationally and internationally by all democratic and justice loving people. NEFIS calls upon all the communities of north east to raise a united struggle against AFSPA, the NEFIS statement said.

SAKAL questions govt`s commitment to repeal AFSPA

IMPHAL, June 3: Sharmila Kanba Lup (SAKAL) staged a protest demonstration against the failure of the State government to repeal the draconian Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), 1958 today.

SAKAL member shouting slogans demanding repeal of AFSPA.

IMPHAL, June 3: Sharmila Kanba Lup (SAKAL) staged a protest demonstration against the failure of the State government to repeal the draconian Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), 1958 today.

The demonstration was held at the temporary shed of the organization located at Porompat, Imphal East today.

Speaking to newspersons on the sidelines of the protest, convenor of SAKAL S Momon Leima reiterated that the controversial AFSPA had been lifted from the State of Tripura recently taking into account of the suffering and violation meted out to its indigenous community under the cover of the act.

She lamented that the same act has not been lifted from Manipur despite mass public outcry over the demand for repeal of the act from the state at the earliest.

The state government should follow the suit adopted by Tripura to repeal the draconian act as it will be too late to wait call of the Central Government to do the needful, she observed.

Ima Momon said that it was a glory for the Tripura that the draconian AFSPA was lifted from its soil.

There had been many incidents of picking up of youths, murder and disappearance of innocents by security forces in the name of counter insurgency. Also, many innocent people have been victimized by levelling anti-national charge, the convenor of SAKAL pointed out.

She continued asking that whether the 60 MLAs including Chief Minister O Ibobi should remain mute spectators to the atrocities committed by security forces under the shade of AFSPA.

Pledging that SAKAL along with public will launch different forms of intense agitation if the government remains silent over the collective demand for repeal of AFSPA; she cautioned that any untoward incident arises thereof should be borne solely by the government.

During the protest demonstration, members of SAKAL shouted slogans in connection with repeal of AFSPA from the state at the earliest.

Mention may be made that AFSPA was promulgated in the state of Tripura since February 16, 1997. The demand for withdrawal of such act persuaded at various levels at which the Chief Minister of Tripura Manik Sarkar remarked that `We could not take a decision because the security forces did not clear it`. He was saying this on the announcement day of lifting AFSPA from Tripura on May 27, 2015.

Press Release “IROM SHARMILA MAKE BY INDIA CAMPAIGN”

OFFICE OF THE Manipur Students’ Association Delhi New Delhi Ref. No.: 20150126MSAD/PR

OFFICE OF THE

Manipur Students’ Association Delhi

New Delhi

Ref. No.: 20150126MSAD/PR Date:26/01/2015

IROM SHARMILA, MAKE BY INDIA CAMPAIGN

Press release

Human Rights Committee of Manipur Students’ Association Delhi launched one month campaign on “IROM SHARMILA, MAKE BY INDIA CAMPAIGN”. The campaign was commenced today(26th Jan.2015) at the University of Delhi and it will last till 28th of Feb, 2015.

The campaign aims to showcast the contradictory of India’s policy of “make in India” and discourse in the North East region especially Manipur. In the 65 years under Indian administration, the government shows no interest to promote productivity of Manipur. Once a self sustained Manipuri economy has now become completely dependent on the import economy based on National Highway. So far their only product is more Police personals, VDF(Village Defence Force) and Special Police Officers (SPO), which results in the brutality and oppression to the people. All the stake holders of the state, political parties and civil society members have silently endorse the politics of AFSPA and its practice.

Indian National Congress strongly opposed the British colonial law- Armed forces special powers ordinance 1942.The same INC passed the Armed Forces Special Power Act in 1958 in more brutal way after some amendment in the Parliament.
The BJP resolved that they will never repeal as long as India exist.
The regional political parties like Trinamool congress, AIADMK, DMK, BSP, Samajwadi, Janata Dal Parivar, BJD continue to support this draconian law. AAP has no difference on AFSPA.
Most of the Indian thinkers, scholars, personalities, journalists have chosen the conspiracy of silence. Majority of the Indian continue to ignore AFSPA. 95% of the Indian intelligentsia believes that India could not sustain without AFSPA.
Indian nationalism could not imagine India without AFSPA.
Most Gandians who believe in non-violence hates Irom Sharmila and people struggle.
Indian political ideology and political thoughts, arthasastrya, religious texts justify everything and anything to sustain in the name of politics and security of the state.
Casteist, sexist and racist mentality does not allow to sense the pain and trauma of the people under military regime, its politics and the practice of AFSPA.
India hopes to produce more economy, entrepreneurship, business and compete with other countries around the world to make India a producing economy and propose “Make in India” programme. But in the case of Manipur and other military controlled areas, it produces more police personals, Village Defence Force (VDF), Special Police Officers (SPO), which again produce more brutality and oppression to the people.
After the annexation of Manipur by Dominion of India, in the last 65 years, the once self sustained Manipuri economy has now become completely dependent on the import economy based on National Highway.
India makes Irom Sharmila who is now carrying the longest hunger strike in the history of mankind. She has been on fifteen years of fast against AFSPA.

Hence street corner meeting, area meeting, class mobilisation and online campaign will be the part of this campaign. MSAD appeal all the people of Manipur and students to support the campaign.

Sd/-

Secretary, Public Relations

Bipinchand Pheiroijam

Sharmila asked to submit counter affidavit in criminal revision petition

IMPHAL, September 3: The High Court of Manipur has today issued a notice to Irom Chanu Sharmila to submit a counter affidavit in connection with a criminal revision petition filed

IMPHAL, September 3: The High Court of Manipur has today issued a notice to Irom Chanu Sharmila to submit a counter affidavit in connection with a criminal revision petition filed by the State government against her.

The government of Manipur had filed a criminal revision petition (Cril Revision Petition No.17 of 2014) before the High Court of Manipur, pleading to review the judgement of District and Session Court Manipur East freeing Sharmila on August 19.

Subsequently, the case was heard today by a single bench of Justice N Kotiswar Singh, under the cause list No. 8.

Meanwhile, the court also served notice to the respondent to submit records relating to her arrest.

Public prosecutor RS Reisang appeared on behalf of the petitioner while advocate Khaidem Mani appeared on behalf of the respondent.

After spending nearly 14 years under judicial custody on charges of attempting suicide, Sharmila who had been fasting demanding the repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act was freed on August 20 following a judgment of the District and Session Court Manipur East on August 19.

The session judge had pronounced in his judgement that Sharmila was not contemplating suicide but rather carrying out a form of democratic protest.

Following the judgement Sharmila was freed for approximately 40 hours before being re-arrested under the same section 309 of IPC.

Many had continued to condemn her re-arrest and the manner the police had arrested her from the temporary shed of the Sharmila Kanba Lup, Porompat on August 22.

NE forum condemns Sharmila re-arrest

IMPHAL, Aug 29: The North East Forum for International Solidarity has also strongly condemned the re-arrest of Irom Sharmila just two days after a local court had ruled that she

IMPHAL, Aug 29: The North East Forum for International Solidarity has also strongly condemned the re-arrest of Irom Sharmila just two days after a local court had ruled that she cannot be charged with attempted suicide.

“We would also like to condemn the deputy Chief Minister of Manipur who defended the re-arresting of Irom Sharmila by saying that her health was deteriorating” it said while continuing that the truth is Sharmila was grabbed fiercely, dragged and thrown to the police vehicle by a group of police women.

It continued that such action is gross violation of human rights and huge disrespect to an activist who has been struggling to end violence and bring peace in the whole north east region of the country.

“People of Manipur across India are enraged with this blatant offence against a women and an activist who is fighting for ending the brutal law of AFSPA,” it observed.

On May 22, 1958, AFSPA was promulgated for the first time by the Indian State, it said before adding, “By denying us the right to rule of law the Indian State has kept us relegated to the status of second class citizens in the country that claims itself to be the world’s largest democracy.”

We demand the immediate release of Irom Sharmila and revoking of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/ne-forum-condemns-sharmila-re-arrest/

CSOs garner support for Sharmila with rally

IMPHAL, August 26: The Women Action for Development organised a mass rally against the ‘torture and inhuman treatment of Irom Chanu Sharmila’ from Basket Ground, Nahabam, Brahmapur Leikai. The rally

IMPHAL, August 26: The Women Action for Development organised a mass rally against the ‘torture and inhuman treatment of Irom Chanu Sharmila’ from Basket Ground, Nahabam, Brahmapur Leikai.

The rally participated by womenfolk of the locality commenced at around noon and was followed by a public meeting at Wangkhei Multipurpose Community Hall, Wangkhei Keithel Asangbi, where the rally participants gathered after the rally.

The meeting was jointly organised by WAD, NEDF, WEJ, IRDA, NLF, CNPW, KCWWA, COWF, VWCOC, HAWA, SAVE, ABFC, DVSF, SSG, EEMA, CWD, UNM-M, CSD, KLYC, LWWK, PWWS, TNMP, KCLWDA, RLP, SADO, KKLMPPl and RUCHI.

At the opening of the public meeting, WAD secretary Sobita Mangsatabam in her keynote said that in the way back when Mahatma Gandhi fasted his demands were tabled and discussed in high level political tables.

She continued that it was undesirable that when Irom Sharmila fasted for the last 13 years demanding repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, it has not been even considered.

President Kuki Womens Union, Manipur Rose Mangshi Haokip who was present in the public meeting as a dais member said the continuous drama of re-arresting Sharmila needs to be stopped now.

She said that Sharmila has the right to live like normal beings among us.

What Sharmila is doing is for the betterment of the public and not for herself, she said.

She called for a collective show of support to Sharmila’s movement irrespective of hills or valley.

President All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) and advocate High Court, Manipur Khaidem Mani condemned the excessive action of the State security forces against Irom Sharmila during her recent re-arrest from her temporary agitation site.

He said Sharmila is someone who has kept her words of pure fasting by not even using water to wash her mouth.

The public meeting was also attended by former Principal of Manipur College and general secretary of Senior Citizen Society Manipur Prof L Sadananda, President Rongmei Women Union Panti Golmei and JCILPS women wing convenor L Nganbi.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/csos-garner-support-for-sharmila-with-rally/

Sharmila re-arrest and the manner it was done condemned

IMPHAL, Aug 25: The People Platform Secretariat (PPS) has strongly condemned the forcible re-arrest of Irom Chanu Sharmila under the same section 309 of the India Penal Code, attempt to

IMPHAL, Aug 25: The People Platform Secretariat (PPS) has strongly condemned the forcible re-arrest of Irom Chanu Sharmila under the same section 309 of the India Penal Code, attempt to commit suicide after she was released on August 20 by an order of the Manipur East Session Court ruling that authorities had failed to establish that Irom Chanu Sharmila had intended to commit suicide and stated that her protest was a political demand through a lawful means.

According to a release of PPS, it strongly condemned the manner in which she was arrested by the police like a criminal. The PPS also questioned regarding the arrest of Sharmila under the same section of 309 IPC which the court had dismissed.

Furthermore, the PPS has strongly demanded that Irom Sharmila be released immediately without any condition and allow her to move freely like any other citizen of India.

A special investigation team must be established to investigate into police excess arresting her and on the official who ordered the re-arrest of Sharmila, disrespecting the court’s order.

It also demanded that Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 be repealed. The organisation also sought an answer to questionable logic of allowing the erection of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, the champion of non-violent hunger strikes in the vicinity of UN, Geneva, while in the same breath restricting Sharmila from fasting in the footsteps of Gandhi and for the cause of justice, and arresting her on criminal charges, it said.

A press release of the North East Dialogue Forum has also strongly condemned the re-arrest of Irom Sharmila by the government with the kind of brutality, cruelty and inhumane manner after she was released by the court.

The Forum has stated that it is unable to understand the reason for arresting Sharmila like a criminal after the court has ruled that authorities had failed to establish that Sharmila had intended to commit suicide and stated that her protest was a ‘political demand through a lawful means’.

It further questioned why the Government of India is still imposing the AFSPA when the International and UN bodies have termed clearly that AFSPA is a security legislation to be imposed in times of war, it said.

State to challenge Sharmila’s release order: Source

IMPHAL, August 23: The State government will be challenging the order of the District and Sessions Judge, Manipur East, A Guneshwar Sharma made on August 19 last freeing Irom Sharmila.

According to a highly reliable source, the order of the session judge is to be challenged and a petition to be filed anew before the High Court of Manipur.

The State Home department is to pray that the order of the session judge be quashed and to indict Sharmila under section 309 of the Indian Penal Code once again.

It may be mentioned that the session judge pronounced Sharmila of not contemplating suicide but rather carrying out a form of democratic protest, the judgment freed Sharmila for approximately forty hours before being re-arrested under the same section of the IPC once again.

The under secretary of the State Home department Ramthing has officially intimated the public prosecutor cum government advocate of the High Court of Manipur, namely RS Reisang to draft the petition which is to be filed to the High Court of Manipur against the judgment of the District and Sessions judge, Manipur East, a highly reliable source said.

The petition is likely to be filed on Monday when the Court is under progress.

According to legal experts, the government has to submit the petition to a higher appellate court to detain Sharmila under the same section of the IPC.

It may be mentioned that the Save Sharmila Campaign has condemned the re-arrest of Sharmila. Her arrest is shameful and undemocratic, it had said while continuing that Sharmila is the victim, and the real culprit is the AFSPA act itself. The victim is being imprisoned when the real culprit is being sidelined, according to the activist body.

However, the Porompat Police station has charged her once again of attempting to committing suicide and sought judicial custody yesterday.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Imphal East, A Noutenshwori has granted judicial custody for a period of 15 days.

It may be mentioned that the court of the Sessions Judge, Manipur East, A Guneshwar Sharma had heard the Criminal Revision case number 14 of 2014 with reference to criminal petition case number 53/2014 under FIR number 55 (03) 2014 Porompat Police Station under section 309. Sharmila was represented by advocate Khaidem Mani, Y Devadutta,Ibetombi and Indira and the advocates representing the State was Salam Indira Devi, additional public prosecutor.

Sharmila is also to appear before the metropolitan magistrate, Patiala House Court, New Delhi on October 30 and 31.

Gaikhangam breaks silence on Sharmila’s re-arrest

IMPHAL, August 23: Before the Armed Forces Special Powers Act could be repealed from the State it is necessary to improve the law and order situation first, said deputy Chief

IMPHAL, August 23: Before the Armed Forces Special Powers Act could be repealed from the State it is necessary to improve the law and order situation first, said deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam appealing Irom Chanu Sharmila to end her fast.

Instead, Sharmila should help in convincing others to leave the path of violence, he said today while attending the closing function of the two-day sensitisation programme on Human Rights of Indigenous People.

The programme was held at the Centre for Human Rights and Duties Education, Lecture Hall, Manipur University.

He said Sharmila’s life is precious for the people of the State and it is the government’s responsibility to look after her.

Her detention in the hospital is only to provide proper care and medication, he said.

Coming to the demand for implementation of the Inner Line Permit System in the State, he said the government also feels that the indigenous people should be protected.

He said Ukhrul, Moreh and Jiribam are the worst affected places by the influx of foreigners.

The present Congress government is for the people and the various charges one gets to hear at public forums these days that it is not doing much on the issue of ILPS are unwarranted.

Meanwhile, speaking at the same function, advocate Khaidem Mani took a rather contrasting stand to the deputy Chief Minister’s views and said Sharmila’s re-arrest is not to save her, but an effort to slowly kill her.

If the government is at all concern, then it should commit to her demand and repeal AFSPA, he said and added Sharmila will continue until her demands are met.

If, unfortunately Sharmila was to die before her demands realise, the government should be held responsible, he asserted.

Although, her fast has already crossed 13 years demanding repeal of the Act, the government hasn’t even communicated with the Centre on the issue, he charged.

The demand for implementation of the ILPS in the State is not to drive out non-locals, the advocate said while elaborating that the public is demanding that the non-locals be brought under a regulation which will benefit the State and the indigenous population.

Day out: Emotional Sharmila mingles with ema-vendors

IMPHAL, August 21: A day after her release from judicial custody, Iron Lady of Manipur Irom Chanu Sharmila visited the Khwairamband Keithel where she was felicitated by the women vendors

IMPHAL, August 21: A day after her release from judicial custody, Iron Lady of Manipur Irom Chanu Sharmila visited the Khwairamband Keithel where she was felicitated by the women vendors today around 2:40pm.

An emotive Sharmila was seen mingling with the women vendors of the three ema keithels and others during her first trip to the all-women bazaar in more than 13 years.

Thousands turned up to witness and meet Manipur’s famous daughter.

The police including women personnel had a hard time trying to keep off the people who were jostling for space to get a glimpse of the anti AFSPA crusader.

During her visit to the keithel today, Sharmila prayed before the Keithel Lairembi at Purana Bazar.

Sharmila, later during a press conference at the Manipur Press Club, expressed happiness over the mass gathering to meet her at the Ima Keithel.

On August 19, Sessions Judge, Manipur East A Guneshwar Sharma had ordered Sharmila’s released from custody dismissing charges that she was fasting unto death. She was released the next day on August 20.

Sharmila had begun her fast on November 2, 2000 demanding the repeal of Arms Forces (Special Powers) Act and was shortly arrested on charges of attempting suicide under section 309 IPC.

However, soon after her release Sharmila had continued on with her fast.

I am yearning to have my first meal: Sharmila

IMPHAL, August 21: “I have not had a drop of water for the last 14 years, please help me, I am yearning to have my first meal,” Irom Sharmila said

IMPHAL, August 21: “I have not had a drop of water for the last 14 years, please help me, I am yearning to have my first meal,” Irom Sharmila said in a press conference at the Manipur Press Club this afternoon. She was meaning that the act should be scrapped at the earliest and let a normalcy return to the state.

This was her first press conference at the Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul.

The hunger striker mentioned that she does not want to be treated like a martyr.

“Please do not put me on a pedestal, I am just a common person fighting for my right to life,” she added,

“I feel like the fight for removal of AFSPA has been left to myself only.” She voiced the need for the public to start realising that removal of the act is not possible by herself.

The need to unite and protest in unison is the need of the hour, it is time that the public come out from the zombic state, she said.

Sharmila was accompanied by several right activists and meira paibis, who also supported her view that the fight against AFSPA need to be strengthened and the civil organisations are ready to spearhead the campaign.

Sharmila further stated that the government is made by the public, the elected leaders are sent as representatives of the people and they too need to lend their voice towards removal of the act.

“When people start taking some money for their votes, this ensures that the right persons are not made representatives and are more interested in other affairs. They are not ones who are mainly concerted at bringing salvation for the public,” she added.

The new NDA government should realise that AFSPA is a draconian law and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi should exert to scrap it, she added.

Replying to a query about the current protest of the Inner Line Permit and the protest for AFSPA, Sharmila said that the issue of ILP is also important. However, the two issues can be combined and a joint struggle can be taken up. “It is for the public to decide, the AFSPA robs people of the right to live, let us unite to campaign and do away with this act once and for all,” Sharmila appealed.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/i-am-yearning-to-have-my-first-meal-sharmila/

CSCHR lauds Sharmila’s release verdict

IMPHAL, August 20: The Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and the UN (CSCHR), a coalition of twenty-four (24) indigenous peoples’ human rights organisations of Manipur has welcomed

IMPHAL, August 20: The Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and the UN (CSCHR), a coalition of twenty-four (24) indigenous peoples’ human rights organisations of Manipur has welcomed the historic and far-sighted judgement and order for the immediate release of Irom Chanu Sharmila as victory of her and the people of Manipur’s moral and political stance.

A statement of the coalition said it would like to stress that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 facilitated extensive militarisation in all indigenous peoples land and territories of Manipur.

The government of India refused to repeal the Act inspite of the recommendations of series of UN human rights bodies, including the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, Rashida Manjoo during her visit to Manipur in 2013.

It said the coalition denounces the serious human rights violations, in particular torture and extrajudicial executions, perpetrated both by the Manipur Police along with the Indian Army under several emergency legislations, including the Armed Forces (Special Powers Act), 1958 all over the State of Manipur.

The justice (retd.) Santosh Hedge headed high-level commission appointed by the Supreme Court of India had already confirmed the fake encounter killings perpetrated both by the Manipur Police and the Indian Army and paramilitary units operating in Manipur, it said while adding that the State government usually resorts to violent repressive measures, including prolonged invocation of Section 144 prohibiting conglomeration of five or more people under Code of Criminal Procedure, arbitrary detention and torture of human rights defenders throughout the State, and in particular within the valley districts.

The CSCHR fully endorses the appeal of the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and Asian Indigenous Peoples’ Pact (AIPP) for the immediate withdrawal of CrPC Section 144 that has been invoked in and around Ukhrul in Manipur for more than a month, and to end all forms of militarization and martial law governance, it said.

The Coalition would like to urge upon the Government of Manipur to immediately withdraw the invocation of sections of CrPC in Ukhrul Town in the last month and the imposition of the similar restrictions in Imphal East and West districts since the last more than one decade, and to end all forms of militarisation in all indigenous peoples territories of Manipur under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 and to repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 and other emergency laws and policies in Manipur, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/cschr-lauds-sharmilas-release-verdict/