PPS, NEDF comdemn
Source: The Sangai Express / Agencies

Imphal, August 25 2014: People's Platform Secretariate (PPS), a network of 27 people's organisations from Manipur strongly condemned the forceful re-arrest of Irom Chanu Sharmila with the same section, 309 of the Indian Panel Code, attempt to suicide after she was released on August 20 by an order of Manipur East, Session Court ruling that authorities had failed to establish Irom Chanu Sharmila's intention to commit suicide, and stated that her protest was a political demand through a lawful means, stated a press release.

"We specially condemn the manner in which she was arrested by the police treating her like a criminal in which she was grabbed, pushed and thrown into the vehicle.

We also fail to understand how the goverment can arrest her with the same section of 309 IPC which the Court had dismissed.

We extend full support to the struggle of Sharmila in her demand to repeal AFSPA, 1958.Being a citizen of India her right to freedom of expression must be respected and she should be allowed to move freely as a citizen of free and democratic country", said PPP convenor, P Inao Singh in a press release today.

PPS therefore strongly demanded that, Irom Sharmila should be released immediately without any condition and allow her to move freely like any other citizen of India; special investigation team must be established to investigate into police excesses in arresting her and against the official who ordered the re-arrest of Sharmila disrespecting the Courts' order.

AFSPA, 1958 must be repealed and answer to the public must be given on the question, why India allows to erect a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, the icon of hunger strike in the vicinity of UN, Geneva and at the same time restricted Irom Sharmila from fasting for the cause she found just and arrested her with criminal charge.

In fact, it is the attitute of India treating "Different Value for Different lives" On the other hand, North East Dialogue Forum too, has strongly condemned the re-arrest of Irom Sharmila by the Goverment in the most brutal, cruel and inhuman manner after she was released by the Court.

India has the constitutional obligation to protect its citizen.

"We are aware that the State can punish any individual who violates the Constitution and rule of law.

However we are unable to understand why Sharmila has to be arrested like a criminal after the Court dismissed all charges", said a press release issued by NEDF International and UN bodies have termed clearly that AFSPA is a security legislation to be imposed only in times of war.

But the Government has never officially declared war in Manipur.

"Then, why the Goverment of India has to impose the draconian law AFSPA, we would like to question.

In such situation, one can question who is actually committing the crime, whether Sharmila or some others", Coordinator of North East Dialogue Forum, Rangla Adam Kharam stated in a press release today.

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