Imphal: Irom Sharmila, who has been on fasts unto death since November 4, 2000, to demand the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, has rejected state Social Welfare Minister Akoijam Mirabai’s appeal to call off her hunger strike.
Also the Congress government in Manipur is in a damage control mode as Mirabai embarrassed it with her “misleading statement” before Sharmila that the state government’s request for repealing the AFSPA was not being paid heed to by the Centre.
The incident occurred when on the occasion of the International Women’s Day on Tuesday two women legislators — Mirabai and Okram Landhoni, wife of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi – visited Sharmila in her security ward of J.N. Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal. During the brief meeting, Sharmila wanted to know from the visiting leaders if she was asking for something impossible.
“Am I asking for the moon? The role of women in making the society peaceful and vibrant is well-known. Though I have been on fast for 16 years, the state government has turned a blind eye and it is very disappointing. Tripura has shown that the AFSPA can be lifted any time,” Sharmila said.
Mirabai tried to mollify her by saying: “It is the central government which shall lift the AFSPA. The state government has been constantly exerting pressure on the Centre to lift it. So you must call off your hunger strike and all of us could continue demanding the same.” It sounded incredulous to Sharmila who is well-versed with law and human rights movement. Besides all sections of people were taken aback by the minister’s statement. Many sections in Manipur are asking whether it is a case of taking the people for a ride or the minister herself is unaware of the law.
