SSSC urges NHRC to take up Sharmila's case
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 03, 2012: Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC) has appealed to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to send a delegation to meet her, take up her cause and issue an order to the Government.

SSSC is a nationwide protest against the neglect and suppression of Irom Sharmila.

A press release issued by the SSSC says that it supports Irom Sharmila on democratic and humanitarian grounds and demands the Government to initiate talks with her.

For about a year, SSSC has been working to spread awareness and gather support for her struggle from the general public of the country and abroad, through candle-light vigils, awareness programmes in colleges, nationwide signature campaigns and caravans covering almost all States of India.

Sharmila on fast

After about a thousand letters were sent through post and email to NHRC between July 10 and 20, a delegation of five volunteers of the SSSC met the NHRC Chairperson and submitted a memorandum personally to him on July 31. The NHRC Chairman, Sh KG Balakrishnan, had acknowledged that NHRC has received many letters regarding this issue.

However, he said that "NHRC can't do much as Irom Sharmila is demanding repeal and this is a Government policy".

But then the delegation talked about the need for a negotiation and the unacceptable approach of the Government.

Pawan Shrivastava argued that "in the world's largest democracy, a voice, as determined as that of Irom Sharmila, should not be ignored".

Rahul Ranjan added that "the fact that Irom Sharmila has been on a hunger strike for 11 years shows her faith in democracy".

Amitesh Prasoon argued that "When the voice of a person sitting on a hunger strike for 11 days can be heard, then why not of a person sitting on a hunger strike for 11 years.

Why is there so much discrimination? Puneet Pushkar, a student of Dyal Singh College, pointed out that "even if we cannot repeal AFSPA, we can reform it.

The law has been misused due to the clause that the army officers guilty of crime cannot be penalized".

Devika Mittal, a student of South Asian University, said that "The Government has not only suppressed her voice but also has charged her with a false crime of committing suicide.

Suicide is a very individualistic, "selfish" crime.

But she is not even a direct victim of AFSPA, she is raising her voice for her people.

The charge of "suicide" is a disgrace to her sacrifice".

The delegation requested NHRC to send a delegation to Manipur to meet Irom Sharmila and to issue an order to the Government.

NHRC responded by promising that they will do whatever they can.

When asked about the earlier team of SSSC volunteers that had met NHRC with the similar demands, NHRC, however, did not respond, added the press release.