Decides to end hunger strike on August 9
and contest elections on the issue of AFSPA
Newmai News Network
Imphal | July 26
Irom Chanu Sharmila has been fasting for 16 years now to demand the repeal of the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in order to demilitarize the North East region. Given the “ailing support” to the struggle, though, she has decided to bring her hunger strike to an end. In its place, she may contest elections as an independent candidate on the single issue of AFSPA.
The human rights activist said she would join politics to continue her movement which she said lacks support from the public.
“I’m tired of the people’s ailing support to my struggle. I’ve decided to contest election but the agenda will be the issue of AFSPA always,” she told journalists after a court appearance here on Tuesday.
The anti-AFSPA crusader said she will announce the date for ending her fast on August 9 next when she will again appear before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West.
“The only way to bring change is electoral process. I will stand as an independent candidate from Malom constituency. My single issue would be to remove AFSPA from the state. In my next hearing in the court on August 9 I will end my fast,” she said.
Sharmila, also known as the ‘Iron Lady’ of Manipur, expressed strong displeasure against political leaders for failing to show solidarity with her movement.
She also expressed dismay over the participation of young school students in the current intensified ILP agitation spearheaded by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS).
The decision taken by Sharmila left many people and rights activists in Manipur surprised. Human rights activist Babloo Loitongbam said he needs to confirm the ‘surprising stance’ taken by Sharmila.
The activist started her fast on November 2, 2000, after the massacre of 10 civilians at Malom in Imphal.
Having refused food and water for more than 500 weeks, she has been called “the world’s longest hunger striker.” On International Women’s Day, 2014 she was voted the top woman icon of India by MSN Poll.
In 2014 two parties asked her to contest in the national election, but she declined. She was then denied the right to vote as a person confined in jail cannot vote according to law. On August 19, 2014 a court ordered her release from custody, subject to there being no other grounds for detention. She was re-arrested on August 22, 2014 on similar charges to those for which she was acquitted, and remanded in judicial custody for 15 days.
Now Govt. needs to do its part: Amnesty
Amnesty International India said Irom Sharmila’s fight against AFSPA takes a new course. “With this decision Sharmila’s iconic fight against AFSPA is bound to take a new course. This also comes at a time when the Supreme Court has ordered 1528 cases of alleged extrajudicial execution in Manipur over the last two decades to be investigated. Now the government needs to do its part to pave the way for the repeal of AFSPA,” stated Arijit Sen, Project Manager at Amnesty International India in a press communique.
According to Amnesty International India, “Prisoner of Conscience” Irom Sharmila Chanu has taken an individual decision to end her 16-year-old fast against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, a particular date for which she will announce on August 9.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International India called on the Manipur government to “immediately and unconditionally” release the activist and to drop all charges against her.
