Imphal, January 12 2009: ''I am being kept alive for the last more than 8 years, but there has been no let up in the incidents of killing innocent people''.

These are the first words that Irom Chanu Sharmila, who has been fasting for more than 8 years now demanding withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur, uttered when leaders of Manipur People's Party (MPP) visited her at the security ward of JN Hospital where she is being kept nose-fed.

For the first time after Sharmila had written to the Additional SP on October 21, 2008 requesting for a meeting with all the 60 MLAs of the State, MPP MLAs and other party leaders today visited Sharmila at the JN hospital.

Party president Dr Chandramani, Th Chaoba and MLAs O Joy, Ng Bijoy and RK Anand were among those who called on Sharmila at around 11.30 am today.

Welcoming the visitors, Sharmila said that although she is being kept alive through nose-feeding for more than 8 years now, there has been no let up in the incidents of killing innocent people by the security forces under the immunity granted by the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Manipur.

Separate laws are also being enacted to protect the wild life in the jungle and domestic animals, but there has been no law to protect the life of the people in Manipur.

With tears in her eyes, Sharmila went on to say that her demand is not something that is impossible to be granted.

'I am not asking for the moon', she said.

'It is God alone who can give and take the human life.

Then why innocent people are being killed and separating them from their near and dear ones', she asked the visiting MPP leaders.

After giving a patient hearing to the complaints of Sharmila, Dr Chandramani observed that Armed Forces Special Powers Act is an out-dated Act and his party strongly feels that it should be removed.

However, in the last election people of Manipur seemed to have no confidence on MPP and not many representatives could be elected.

For removing the Act, a political will is essential and be in the Government.

The Act can be removed with just a Cabinet decision of the Government.

Chipping in, MLA O Joy said that Armed Forces Special Powers Act is a draconian Act and it wouldbe done away with surely one day, sooner or latter.It is high time for the intellectuals and the politicians in Manipur to come together and take a joint decision in this regard.

Dr Ng Bijoy contended that apprehension of the politicians and a large section of the people that law and order would be able to maintain once the Act is removed is unfounded.

The Government should come up with an action plan for analysis on the possible fallouts or consequences of removing the Act.

Th Chaoba noted that even if MPP is in favour of removing the Act, being a minority it could not do anything.

There is no power for the minority in a democracy where the majority is elected at the helm of the power.

RK Anand, describing Armed Forces Special Powers Act as the most discriminatory Act, admitted that there is the need to sensitise the politicians on this Act.

In response to a question posed from the side of the mediapersons, Sharmila replied, 'My struggle is for a good cause but I can't say anything about the future.

But I know this much that whether the Armed Forces Special Powers Act should be removed or not is not in the hands of God but in the hands of the people'.

Two books of poems written by Sharmila herself, namely 'Eikhoigee Surongee Puwari' and Laiming Louba' were also released at the occasion. On the other hand, in support of the cause of Sharmila, members of Khwairamband Ima Keithel and Nupi Khunai Chaokhat Khongthang Kanglup, Ningthem Pukhri Mapal today carried forward the hunger relay strike being organised by Sharmila Kanba Lup at PDA complex, Porompat.

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