Irom Sharmila who has been on fast unto death since November 4, 2000, demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, has agreed to extend support to the anti-corruption campaign launched by Anna Hazare.
A decision to this effect was taken by the Justice Peace Foundation in response to a letter from Assam activist Akhil Gogoi. Some representatives of the Foundation will go to New Delhi to participate in the fast.
Ms. Sharmila launched her fast following killing of innocent people by security personnel. She was honoured by several organisations for her campaign. Though she is carrying on the fast, the State and the Central governments have made it clear that it is not possible to repeal the Act, as militants are getting an upper hand. She is now lodged in a hospital room, which has been declared as a sub jail. She survives on nose feeding.
Many circles in Manipur have expressed the view that while New Delhi listened after a few days' fasting by Mr. Hazare, nobody had cared about Ms. Sharmila's fast for such a long time.
