Sharmila ends fast, Amnesty Intl urges India to repeal AFSPA

IMPHAL, August 9: Human rights activist Irom Chanu Sharmila broke her 16-year-old hunger strike against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act on Tuesday afternoon after Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Imphal granted bail in connection with an attempted suicide case.

Sharmila broke her fast by tasting honey during a hurriedly called press conference in front of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) hospital, Porompat in Imphal East district where she was detained on charges of attempting to commit suicide.

Responding to questions, 44-year-old striker who was popularly known as Iron Lady of Manipur, said that she wants to become Chief Minister by contesting in election to bring a positive change and remove AFSPA.

Replying to another question, she said she wants to appeal to the Prime Minister of India to stop indulging the violence but govern the people with a fatherly treatment without the draconian laws.

Sharmila was in the custody of Sajiwa Central Jail, but kept in a ward of the JNIMS where she has been force-fed through a nasal tube after she launched her agitation in November 2000 after 10 people were killed by troops of the Assam Rifles near a bus stop at Malom in the outskirt of Imphal. She was arrested under Section 309 (attempting to commit suicide) of the Indian Penal Code on charges of attempt to commit suicide.

Earlier in the day, she was produced before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal Lamphanpau Tonsing as per scheduled where the Court granted bail after she signed a PR bond of Rs 10,000.  The court also asked the accused to appear in the court on August 23 and issued a release order, legal sources said.

PTI adds: Amnesty International on Tuesday urged India to take steps to repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), which gives sweeping powers to the military in troubled areas.                                                        The Amnesty made the appeal as Iron Sharmila ended her 16-year-long hunger strike against the AFSPA. It also urged Indian authorities to drop all charges against her. “Irom Sharmila’s hunger strike over the last 16 years has been a testament to her passion for human rights and her belief that a draconian law like the AFSPA has no place in any society,” an Amnesty statement said.  “The government arrested her, confined her to a hospital room and force fed her for 16 years, seemingly to break her will. There was zero dialogue. A peaceful protest was criminalized,” said Amnesty campaigner Abhirr V.P.  “Irom Sharmila’s decision to break her hunger strike gives India another chance to start a dialogue and recognize how the AFSPA has alienated Manipur for over 35 years,” Amnesty said.  Amnesty said the AFSPA in Manipur had provided impunity for perpetrators of human rights violations, including extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, rape, torture and other ill-treatment, and excessive use of force.