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Resource centre on India's rural distress
 
 

Irom Sharmila’s Satyagraha completes nine years


Irom Chanu Sharmila, who continues her relentless fight against State led violence using Gandhian values of non-violence, is about to complete nine years of hunger strike on November 4. She continued with her ‘fast unto death’ campaign for nine years against the Armed Forces Special Power Act which has been in force in Manipur under the garb of fighting the separatists. In order to keep her alive, she has been force-fed through the nose with a rubber pipe by the Government on several occasions. Many civil society organizations have been expressing solidarity with her by going on relay hunger strikes in the state for over a year now.

Irom Chanu Sharmila is presently imprisoned in the Security Ward of JN Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal. She has been charged with attempted suicide. On 22 September, 2009 she was presented before the Additional Chief Magistrate in Kimneingnag where her detention was extended by fifteen days. She has been brought before the courts and remanded, several times in the past too.  

A full fledged women’s struggle has been launched in Manipur to get Sharmila released and for repealing the Armed Forces Special Power Act. 

Irom Sharmila’ fight against Armed Forces Special Power Act started on 2 November, 2000. On 1 November, 2009 one insurgent group active in Manipur threw bomb on a company of Army men. Out of vengeance, Army men belonging to Eighth Assam Rifles started random firing near a Bus Stand in Malom killing 10 innocent people. Sinom Chandramoni of 18 years of age who won the National Brave Children Award and one 62 years old woman named Leisungbum Ibtomi were among those killed. This made a deep impact on Irom Sharmila and two days later she began her ‘fast unto death’ for repeal of the dreadful Special Power Act. Since the enactment of the Armed Forces Special Power Act more than 20,000 innocent persons have lost their lives. Many activists feel that the Act has completely failed to curb the growth of insurgent groups in Manipur and other North Eastern states. Presently, there are 25 such insurgent groups operating in the region.

In order to know more about Irom Sharmila, Armed Forces Special Power Act and abuse of human rights in Manipur, kindly check the following links:

http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=14..280909.sep09
http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=Snipp1..021009.oct09
http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=16..230909.sep09
http://www.tehelka.com/story_main23.asp?filename=Ne120906T
he_unlikely_CS.asp

http://www.hrdc.net/sahrdc/resources/armed_forces.htm
http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/india0908web_0.pdf
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/07/17/india-end-manipur-killings