Restrictions on Iron Sharmila peeves NHRC
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 23 2013:
Various restrictions to visitors of anti-AFSPA crusader, Irom Sharmila is a challenge to human rights.
This was stated by member of National Human Rights Commission (NRHC) Cyriac Joseph, who along with other members of the Commission is on a three-day visit to the State.
The NHRC members told reporters after their visit to Irom Sharmila today at the Security Ward of JNIMS that keeping the hunger striker in isolation and putting several restrictions to visitors is disappointing.
During the meeting with the NHRC team, Sharmila apprised them that the agitation she had undertaken is democratic and instead of respecting the democratic agitation, she has been incarcerated.
Observing that many visitors including family members are restricted from meeting the anti-AFSPA crusader, Sharmila also brought to the notice of the NHRC team that she is allowed to meet family members and others only on the days she is produced before the Court with the permission of the Judge, that too within the Court premises and only for a moment.
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While jail inmates have been granted the priviledge to meet visitors, she has been allowed to meet visitors after only getting approval of the Govt, Sharmila apprised to the team.
On learning the detailed process for meeting Sharmila from the security in-charge , the NHRC Chairman said Sharmila is not a violent prisoner and she is not in judicial custody for commiting murderous or other big crimes.
The NHRC Chairperson quizzed the security In-charge whether one has to obtain permission from the CM or Dy CM to meet any person who is under Judicial Custody as was the case during the visit of NHRC Rapporteur, Retd DGP Pradhan to Sharmila few months back.
The team was caught by surprise when the Security In-charge replied that the restriction was as per the the State policy.
KG Balakrishnan expressed dissatisfaction over the treatment meted to Sharmila, who the Commission has seen Sharmila as a human.
The Chairman told Sharmila that AFSPA is not only enforced in Manipur but in other States too.
He also wanted to know from her whether her wish be fulfilled if the Act is removed from Manipur or the repeal of the Act.
Saying that atrocities in the State is committed by Manipur Police Commandos who are not covered in the AFSPA, the Chairman said there is no guarantee that the Police Commandos would stop atrocities when the Act goes.
To this, Sharmila replied that her wish is the repeal of the draconian law while adding optismistically that her demand would be answered by God and her wish be fulfilled one day.