Imphal, August 19 (NNN): Security personnel today denied permission to the mother of activist Irom Chanu Sharmila who wanted to meet her daughter at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal East. Besides, the activist’s brother was reportedly manhandled. “I took my mother to the hospital to meet my sister Sharmila around 11 am. The security men refused us entry saying official permission was needed from the JNIMS Director,” Sharmila's brother Singhajit told journalists at the Press Club here. He alleged that the security personnel used abusive words against him, apart from manhandling him at the site. Singhajit condemned the incident, saying it was not right to prevent a frail mother from meeting her daughter. After breaking her 16-year-old fast demanding repeal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) on August 9, Sharmila promised she would never return home until her demand was fulfilled. She also promised she would not meet her 84-year-old mother until removal of the Army Act. “It’s quite natural that a mother wants to meet her daughter who has remained separated from her for 16 years. Everybody understands such eagerness,” Singhajit said. Human Rights Alert (HRA) executive director Babloo Loitongbam, who was present at the press meet, said Sharmila was in nobody’s custody now. The human rights activist questioned the propriety of JNIMS Director while disallowing the mother to meet her daughter. As she announced to end her fast, Sharmila had said she will enter electoral politics. She also reaffirmed her decision of contesting the 2017 assembly polls in Manipur as an Independent candidate. She had said she will try to become Chief Minister of the state, which will enable her to work towards repealing AFSPA from the state. Her hunger strike against AFSPA was launched in 2000 after ‘Malom Massacre’, in which security forces gunned down 10 civilians.
