Irom Sharmila's decision peeves SAKL
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 05 2016 : The Sharmila Kanba Lup (SAKL) has expressed strong disapproval over Irom Sharmila's decision to break her historic fast against Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), get married and join electoral politics.

Speaking to The Sangai Express today, SAKL convenor Momon Leima said that they would not allow any attempts to demean the dignity of Manipuri women and discredit the popular movement against the infamous Act.

Irom Sharmila has been fasting against the draconian Act for the last 16 years demanding total repeal of AFSPA from all over Manipur after the Malom Massacre of November 2, 2000 where Assam Rifles mowed down nine civilians.

Alongside Sharmila, people of Manipur have also been carrying out different protest movements demanding repeal of AFSPA for the last many years.

SAKL was dumbstruck when Sharmila suddenly announced in Cheirap Court complex on July 26 that she would break her fast, get married and join electoral politics.

As Sharmila's campaign was in sync with the mass movements against AFSPA, people of Manipur have been solidly standing behind her, Momon Leima said.

SAKL was established on December 10, 2008 with the primary objective of saving Sharmila's life through fulfilment of her and people's common objective which is total repeal of AFSPA from Manipur.

At one point of time during her historic fast, Chief Minister O Ibobi went to Sharmila and asked her to stop fasting and contest elections.

On the next day, Sharmila ridiculed and rejected the Chief Minister's proposal before media.

Whereas the people of Manipur, particularly members of SAKL have been keeping a close watch over Sharmila's life, her elder brother Shinghajit resigned from being a Government employee and he has been assisting his sister's crusade.

Her sudden, unexpected decisions are a matter of serious concern, Momon said.

After the damning sequence of photographs of Ch Sanjit were published in media, killings by security forces came down in the State.

This could be partially attributed to Sharmila's crusade and the people's relentless movement against AFSPA.

To SAKL, what Sharmila stated at the Court complex on July 26 were some incoherent thoughts.

It looked like she was influenced by some elements as if they knew that Sharmila's crusade was on the threshold of victory.

Even as SAKL made repeated attempts to visit Sharmila after her last Court appearance, the State Government has been side-stepping the repeated pleas of SAKL.

Nonetheless, SAKL would like to ask a few questions to Sharmila, Momon said.

She went on to ask whether the decisions she announced on July 26 were final or not.

Providing Sharmila with a laptop inside JNIMS security ward has turned out to be a factor for changing her mind.

The way Desmond Coutinho held Sharmila's hand inside Court complex was an insult to all the womenfolk of Manipur, she remarked.

She then said, "The reason behind Sharmila's intention to get married is now very clear".

Sharmila and Desmond came to know each other only after she had begun her crusade against AFSPA.

It looked like Desmond's entry into the life of Sharmila was a conspiracy of the Government of India and the State Government.

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