Irom Sharmila back from Delhi
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 08 2015: After her appearance before the Metropolitan Magistrate of Patiala House Court on October 6 and 7, anti-AFSPA crusader Irom Chanu Sharmila has been brought back to Imphal in an Indigo flight from New Delhi today.

She appeared before the Court regarding a case pending against her for staging an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in 2006 demanding repeal of AFSPA from the State.

Sharmila landed at Tulihal International airport at around 11.30 am.

She was accompanied by one male SI and one female ASI of the State Police Department, one doctor and two nurses of JNIMS hospital, Assistance Jailor and a female Warden of Imphal Central Jail.

During the recent hearing, Human Rights Alert Executive Director Babloo Loitongbam deposed before the Court as a defence witness.

The Court had fixed December 15 as the date of argument hearing of the case.

Sharmila is likely to appear before the Court on the day as well.

Meanwhile, Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC) in a statement said that Sharmila told the Court that she was not trying to commit suicide but simply refusing to eat or drink anything demanding repeal of AFSPA.

She also reiterated the undemocratic and draconian effects of AFSPA and appealed for its repeal during the hearing, the statement said.

The statement said that Sharmila's detention in judicial custody is a clear example of failure of judiciary and disrespect of human rights in the world's largest democracy.

Everybody knows that she is campaigning for a public cause, the statement said.

It further said that it is known through the reports of Government-appointed committees and National and International human rights organisations that AFSPA is discriminatory and an unconstitutional and harsh Act that provides extraordinary powers to security forces at disturbed areas.

The sweeping powers given to security forces have become the reasons for violations of human rights.

Security forces behave like criminals who have unchecked powers and accountability under the cover of AFSPA, the statement alleged.

SSSC keeps its faith on the non-violent struggle of Irom Sharmila and considers her as their leader, the statement added.

SSSC is working Nationwide to highlight the struggle of Irom Sharmila and it has organised numerous events, public demonstrations and other activities in almost all the States and some foreign countries, the statement said.

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