The relay hunger strike by women in Manipur entered the 935th day on Wednesday. The hunger strike at the office of the Save Sharmila Group here was launched to extend moral support to Irom Sharmila, who has been on a fast-unto-death since November 2, 2000 demanding repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958. “We are disappointed by the lack of response to the protracted fasting by Ms. Sharmila. The volunteers...

Overwhelming presence of military, paramilitary and police forces gave visiting American diplomat the impression that Imphal was under occupation In an assessment of the situation in Manipur in 2006, American Consul General in Kolkata Henry Jardine wrote that the overwhelming presence of military, paramilitary and police officers contributed to the impression that Imphal was under military occupation. “In ConGen's many interactions, even with some government officials, a reoccurring comment was that...

Irom Sharmila, who has been on a fast unto death since November 2000 demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, is continuing her fast, to the chagrin of the government, even after her release on Thursday. Detained on the charge of attempting suicide, she can be legally held only for one year at a stretch and has, since 2000, been ritually released on the completion of each...

Union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai clarified on Friday that his ministry was awaiting the draft of the Communal Violence Bill from the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council (NAC). “There has been some delay but we hope to get it by the end of March, after which we will study it in the MHA, before it goes to cabinet,” he said. Mr Pillai was responding to a question, at an interaction at...

Many Indian laws do not reflect modern and enlightened concepts of justice and require major revision. The recent campaign in support of Dr. Binayak Sen has received much publicity. The mainstream media has enunciated his cause and dissected the evidence, conviction and judgment. Amnesty International argued that the case violated international standards for a fair trial. While Dr. Sen's conviction has received much attention, there is a need to foreground the...