Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 07:
Anti-AFSPA campaigner Irom Sharmila Chanu sustained her agitation soon after being released from the security ward of JN Hospital on a court's order today.
The court of Additional Chief Judicial magistrate, Imphal decreed on her release as another term of one year detention period lapsed today.
On her arrival at the hospital ward after her appearance in the court, medical personnel put her back to the nose feeding at 3 pm before her formal release from the security ward.
her nose feeding schedules include administering life saving (dietary) fluid five times a day.
Sharmila, who was kept under nose feeding at the security ward after she launched her fast unto death to denounce the para-military force gunning down several innocent persons at malom area in November 2000, resumed her agitation at the AAA ground which is near her Kongkham Leikai residence in Imphal East district.
Interacting with news-persons at her latest agitation venue, a frail Sharmila desired that human rights activists particularly women join on her campaign.
She exhorted her supposed supporters not to cow down to police tactics when they (cops) attempt to disperse peaceful agitators like in the previous occasion.
She was also apprehensive of being re-arrested.
"We agree and support whatever she does in her protracted campaign," said her elder brother Singhajit who also recounted that Sharmila has the blessing of her mother when she decided to fight against continued imposition of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers' Act 1958. Now in her late 30s, sharmila's campaign had attracted attention of human rights organisations and activists throughout the world with her effort honoured by the conferring of the prestigious Gwanju Prize for Human Rights 2007 by Gwanju Foundation of South Korea.
Moreover, she was among 100 Asian women who were nominated for the 2005 Noble peace prize and had taken her agitation to the National capital from a brief period some years back when she was released by a court on similar condition.
Meanwhile, Centre for Organisation Research and Education expressing solidarity to Sharmila's campaign has asked the Govt to prove its commitment in safeguarding honour of women on the occasion of International Women's Day tomorrow by endorsing Sharmila effort.
Under the AFSPA it is the women folk of the society that had been enduring difficulties the most, CORE said.