Not forgetting the central issue : Fast over, AFSPA still here
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: August 11 2016 -

Central to Irom Chanu Sharmila and her 16 years long fast (broken now) is the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

After Sharmila announced that she intends to break her fast on July 26, the concentration of the people and the media has been on her fast and what she intends to do after this.

A point which was there for all to see when numerous media persons from across the world and the country descended on Imphal on August 9 to record her statements and witness her breaking the fast.

In ending her fast, Sharmila made her choice as an individual and in announcing that she intends to enter electoral politics, she is once again making a statement that she will be in the eyes of the public.

Tough to say whether she can continue to be a news maker as she was while she was on her fast, and this is where wise counselling is needed for her to keep her eyes on the reality.

The statement that she intends to take on the Chief Minister in his home turf in the election sounds a little too far fetched and if she is not careful, then the chances of her iconic status coming crashing down on earth is a distinct possibility.

This is a point which should not be lost on her. On fast for the last 16 years and kept in solitary confinement for the greater part of her life in the last 16 years and such an experience is bound to take a toll on the physical and mental health of a person and Sharmila will be no exception to this.

It is this which should not be lost on her and her close associates.

This is about her but lest the people forget, no individual can be bigger than the issue. This truism should not be lost on anyone.

Naturally focus will be on Sharmila for sometime, but this should not make the people forget of the larger scheme of things.

The Armed Forces Special Powers Act is still here and all the more reason for all to strengthen their stand against the continued imposition of the Army Act.

This is where people need to take comfort in the observation of the Supreme Court some time back that the security personnel cannot be given a free hand to do as they please.

The Extra-Judicial Execution Victims’ Family Association, Manipur (EEVFAM) has already been asked by the Supreme Court to get the details of the 1,528 victims who were eliminated by security personnel allegedly in fake encounters and this can be said to be a beginning in the fight against the excesses committed by the men in uniform.

The fight against the excesses of the security personnel will continue and let not this be sidelined because Sharmila has given up her fast and is today eyeing electoral politics.

Let the fight against AFSPA continue unhindered.