Irom Sharmila longs for public movement against AFSPA
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 21 2013: Craving for a people's movement against the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, Irom Chanu Sharmila, who has been on an indefinite fast for more than 12 years now demanding removal of the military Act that gives sweeping power to security personnel, has exclaimed that there is no room for defeat to any form of movement if it is a people's movement and the demand for repealing AFSPA can be achieved thus.

Speaking to media persons while coming out from appearing before the court of Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West at Lamphel today, Sharmila, who has been given the title of 'Iron Lady of Manipur' for her steadfast struggle against prolonged imposition of AFSPA, stated that nothing is impossible if there is unity among the people.

But the State lacks neutral movement of the people.

They seem to be carried away in all directions at the slightest provocation.

Sharmila longs for public movement against AFSPA

She further stated that India may be following a democratic form of governance but there is no meaning of democracy in Manipur.

Instead of acting on the wishes of the people, leaders of the State are also guided by their own personal gains.

She went on to say that in addition to enforcement of AFSPA in Manipur to counter insurgency movement in the State, the State Government is spending huge amount of rupees to deploy central security forces in the State.

Over and above this, the leaders of the State are busy collecting huge amounts from recruitment of Havildars and SIs in the State police force.

Looking this trend, there are apprehensions that the State Government, if it can, is intentionally not removing AFSPA from the State, so as to carry on its business of collecting money from the public.

With huge cash in hand derived from such sources, now there are reports that the Chief Minister of Manipur has taken over the PCTC Oil Pump at Khuyathong, she alleged.

Sharmila observed that she is not satisfied with the use of the cash awards bestowed upon her by various organizations from across the world only in the campaign against AFSPA.

"I also would like to contribute a part of the cash award to the victims of natural calamities in the State.

As such, I am thinking of dissolving the Trust established in my name for handing over the cash awards to the Eningthou of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba so that he could use it for the welfare of the people", Sharmila said.

Responding to a query, Sharmila conveyed that she has not yet been informed about taking her to Patiala High Court by the concerned authorities.

However, reports reaching Hueiyen Lanpao said that Sharmila would be brought before the Patiala High Court on March 4 for which she would be leaving Imphal on March 3 .