Newmai News Network
IMPHAL, AUGUST 21
Anti-AFSPA crusader Irom Sharmila sought blessings from Keithel Lairembi (goddess of market) on Thursday at Kwairamband bazaar in the heart of Imphal a day after her release from jail.
The civil rights activist accompanied by her followers came in a car to Imphal Kwairamband bazaar in the afternoon. There, she met scores of women vendors, leaders of social organisations and human rights activists.
Last evening, Sharmila was released from the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) hospital where she had been kept in a special room that was declared to be a sub-jail for her. She walked away a free woman yesterday after a local court ruled that her detention on the charges of attempting to suicide had no ‘locus standi.’
She was regularly released and re-arrested every year since her hunger strike began under IPC section 309 (Attempt to Suicide).
Moments after her release, the political activist continued her fast at a popular protest site in Khurai Ayangpalli Road near JNIMS. Sharmila Kanba Lup (SAKAL) volunteers often stage relay hunger strike in support of her struggle at the site.
The anti-AFSPA crusader was greeted by hundreds of women vendors, leaders of civil society organisations and her well wishers as she arrived at Khwairamband.
The crowd of supporters chanted slogans showing solidarity to Sharmila’s fast-unto-death agitation. They shouted “AFSPA must be repealed and “Long live Manipur.”
Heavy security personnel were present at the site where Sharmila was meeting social organisation leaders. She was seen being escorted by police personnel.
She then went to Manipur Press Club here along with several leaders of civil society organisations, human rights activists and SAKAL members.
“Imas (mothers) of Manipur have blessed me and strengthened my struggle,” Sharmila told a press meet.
She said her release from jail has clearly shown that her movement is legitimate after she had been released and re-arrested by the authority during her 14 year-old protest.
“They have accepted that I have been protesting in most non-violent way,” she added.
“The people need to go with me in my fight against Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. I’m struggling for the present generation and future generations as well,” she said.
“We always feel alienated from the democratic country India because of the military Act,” she claimed.
She demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi fulfill his poll promises that included revocation of AFSPA and expressed her strong desire to personally meet Modi.
“I want to meet PM Modi to assert our democratic rights since we are bonafide citizens of the country,” she added.
Known as the Iron Lady of Manipur, Sharmila has been on fast for 14 years on the demand of repeal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) that has been blamed for violence in Manipur.
