Sharmila takes stir to New Delhi
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 04: Persisting with her single minded aspiration of ensuring complete removal of Armed forces Special Powers Act 1958 (AFSPA) from manipur, hunger striker Irom sharmila Chanu has resumed her agitation at the National capital from today.

Intent on highlighting the draconian side of the Act to central leaders Sharmila shifted her base from here to New Delhi a day after she was released from custody on completing statutory period of conviction yesterday.

Irom Sharmila Chanu

"After offering floral tributes at Gandhi Samadhi, Sharmila continued her fast at Jantar Mantar," said the brother of the determined lady, Irom Shinghajit Singh, who along with two human rights defenders accompanied Sharmila to New Delhi.

Conveying that Sharmila's wish to pay obeisance to the father of the nation before she resumes her campaign had materialised, the brother also opined 'if Mahatma Gandhi was still alive he would have agitated peacefully to repeal the act for the cause of the oppressed people of the country'.

Here in the State capital Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh conceded he had no prior information about Sharmila's intention to continue her agitation at New Delhi.

"I have no idea at all about it except for the fact that she was released by the Court yesterday," the CM quipped when some reporters sought his comments on the sideline of a press briefing by DONER minister PR Kyndiah at Raj Bhavan today.

37-year-old Sharmila from Kongpal Kongkham Leikai in Imphal east district has been on fast a day after troopers of Assam Rifles gunned down ten innocent civilians near the Imphal Airport on November 2, 2000.Ever since her detention in judicial custody at the Security Ward of JN Hospital which has nearly completed six years, State authorities had been nose feeding her.

On October 2, the Court of Judicial Magistrate (First Class), Imphal East acquitted her of all charges as her conviction period was over.

The same Court had passed similar judgements in the past few years but she declined to accept the court ruling insisting that no short of complete removal of the repressive law would compel her to give up the struggle.

Chanu, who penned poems on human rights and social changes while in custody, was among 1000 females from across the globe nominated for the noble peace prize in 2005.Besides, Shinghajit others accompanying her include executive director of Human Rights Alert Babloo Loitongbam and president of Manipur Forward Youth Front Sapamcha Kangleipal.

They reached New Delhi on an Indigo flight.

"She has been insisting upon us to shift her stir site from Imphal to New Delhi," maintained Shinghajit and added "my mother had already showered blessings for success of her mission since the day she began her fast.

All our family members are behind her in whatever form of agitation she wish to pursue for the peoples' movement against the draconian act." A few months back Sharmila had told this reporter at a court premise in Imphal that she would continue her fast until and unless the repressive act is repealed.

On the lifting of the act from Imphal municipal areas she dismissed the Govt initiative as 'mere eyewash' to mollify the general public's growing resentment against AFSPA that provides unbridled powers to the security forces.

Before beginning her agitation she was blessed by her mother to go ahead with her mission and to return home after AFSPA is repealed, Sharmila had said.