Newmai News Network
Imphal | September 4
Irom Sharmila has seen it is not only the armed forces that violate human rights. During her visit to Loktak Lake in south Manipur on Saturday, Irom Sharmila saw displaced families taking shelter at Sendra Community Hall. Families of this fishing community have been evicted from the lake area by the Manipur government as the latter progresses with the Loktak Lake beautification work.
On seeing the displaced people, Sharmila said, "The State has also been violating rights of thousands of people." She stated that the government should not harass the people in the name of modernisation, adding the government has been playing with the lives of the people which is a matter of serious concern. Sharmila then called upon the people to unitedly fight for dignity.
Irom Sharmila has been meeting people from place to place these days.
She left the security ward of Jawaharalal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) on August 27, where she had remained force-fed through nasal tubes until she ended her 16-year-old long fast on August 9.
Few days ago she had expressed her desire to travel to Ukhrul district to meet the people.
“In Ukhrul I will appeal to the people and try to make them grasp all problems besieging the state. Let’s chingmee-tammee (people of hills and valley) to tie together and secure the land,” the iconic anti-AFSPA crusader Sharmila said.
The renowned activist began her fast from November 2, 2000 demanding withdrawal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) following ‘Malom Massacre’ in which security forces gunned down 10 civilians.
She is currently facing charges under IPC section 309 (attempt to commit suicide) and the hearing in the case is on in a local court here. Sharmila had appealed to the court during her recent appearance that the charges against her be dropped since she had ended her hunger strike.
