The Hindu : National : Relay hunger strike in Imphal completes 200 days

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Relay hunger strike in Imphal completes 200 days

Iboyaima Laithangbam

Women activists, academics hold meeting to study the situation

The relay fast is in support of Irom Sharmila, who is on a fast unto death for repeal of the AFSPA
Centre, Manipur government say the repeal will only strengthen militants

IMPHAL: The relay hunger strike by women volunteers, in support of Irom Sharmila, who has been on a fast unto death for more than eight years, has completed the 200th day on Saturday.

On the occasion, women activists, academics and social workers held a meeting in Imphal to take stock of the situation.

Incident of 2000

On November 2, 2000, some Assam Rifles personnel had mowed down ten innocent persons in Imphal, including a woman, to settle scores with militants who had exploded a remote-controlled bomb near the Imphal airport.

No personnel were injured in the explosion.

A young woman, Irom Sharmila, had then launched a fast unto death from November 4 demanding that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, be repealed. The Act under which she is arrested permits the authorities to imprison her for one year at a go. Ritually, she is released at the end of each year.

However, instead of going home, Ms. Sharmila goes to some office of the women vigilantes to continue the fast, her worldly belongings tied in a small bundle. Usually, she is rearrested within hours and sent to a hospital which has been declared a sub-jail for her.

Women leaders sore

Women leaders are not pleased that the government has been turning a deaf ear to the orchestrated demand for the repeal of the AFSPA which gives untrammelled powers. The State forces which are not entitled to the provisions of this Act are however emulating the security forces.

Fearing that Sharmila will die soon, women volunteers have launched a relay hunger strike.

Manmohan’s letter

They felt encouraged by the letter written to the Prime Minister by Union Minister of State for Rural Development Agatha Sangma, demanding a review of the enforcement of the Act in Manipur.

But the stand of the State and the Central leaders is clear. They say if the AFSPA is repealed from Manipur it would amount to giving a carte blanche to the militants.

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