Imphal, A teary-eyed rights
activist Irom Sharmila, who has been on a hunger strike for 14 years, today
(Wednesday) walked free from a make-shift prison here vowing to continue her
fight for repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
Without
the familiar nasal drip, a part of the abiding symbol of her struggle, frail-looking
Sharmla, 41, was escorted out of the government hospital at Porompat where a
room was converted into a jail.“It’s God’s will. I’m emotional…I have been
suffering so much”, said the activist with a faltering voice, a day after a
sessions court here ordered her release and acquitted her of the charge of
attempting to commit suicide by refusing food.
Sharmila, who has been on
hunger strike since November, 2000, vowed to continue her fast until her demand
for withdrawal of AFSPA is met.“Until and unless my demands are fulfilled, I
will not take anything through my mouth. It is my right. It is a means for my
struggle”, she said.
Terming AFSPA as a “draconian”
law that gave rise to a “lots of widows”, Sharmila said her agitation “is for
justice” and sought the people’s support for it.“What I want from the people is
not singing my glory but their mass support. Real win lies in fulfilment of my
demands….for the last 14 years, I have been suffering so much”, she said.Sharmila
said “my struggle proves that I am right and justice must be served.”
Asked how hopeful she is about
repeal of AFSPA, she said “it depends on the sinceity of the people. If people
are united, decisions of the government can be changed easily”.Asked if she
expected to be free after such long imprisonment, Sharmila said “I want freedom
so much but with success”.Asked what was her message to Prime Minister Narendra
Modi, the rights activist said “after Godhra riots, many people felt hatred
towards his rule but now he is the head of the whole country’s government. So,
to hold the people’s mind, and to rule the people, you need non-violence”.
Sharmila had gone on hunger
strike after 10 people were shot dead in a suspected encounter with insurgents
near Imphal airport in November, 2000 allegedly by personnel of Assam Rifles.Three
days later, she was arrested and charged with attempt to suicide.Soon after her
release from the prison, Sharmila resumed her fast at the complex of the
government hospital at Porompat.“I will continue my stir till the withdrawal of
the AFSPA from the state of Manipur,’ she said.Commenting on the order of the
sessions court (Imphal East) yesterday, she said “I welcome the judgement that
I was not trying to commit suicide but my agitation is democratic struggle”.(Source- www.newsroompost.com)
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