Irom Sharmila takes vow to continue struggle for AFSPA repeal

New Delhi, Oct 6 (UNI) Human Rights activist Irom Sharmila today said the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (1958) from Manipur would help in fostering peace in the trouble-torn state.

Ms Sharmila has been on hunger strike in Imphal since 2000 and she has now decided to continue her ''struggle'' in the national capital ''to put more pressure on the Central Government.'' The 34-year-old fragile-looking activist, who claimed that she had not taken a single drop of water since Wednesday, spoke to newspersons while lying in a makeshift tent near the Jantar Mantar here through an interpreter and vowed to continue her struggle.

''The Central Government is discriminating against the people of Manipur by continuing the AFSPA inspite of recommendation by a Committee to repeal it. But, I will not change my stand come what may. I do not care for my life. If I die that will inspire the future generation,'' she said.

Following the widespread violence in Manipur in the aftermath of the Manorama Devi rape and murder episode, a review Committee headed by Mr Justice Jeevan Reddy has recommended the scrapping of the AFSPA and incorporation of its provisions into the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 for uniform application across the country.

The Government has not acted so far on this.

Ms Sharmila said that the ''present discontent in the state was more of offsprings' rebelling against their parents when they do not get what they yearn for.'' ''Instead of peremitting Armed Forces human rights violations, the political leadership should try to address the root cause.

''The root cause is lack of geographical accessibility, non availability of employment opportunities for the educated youth and economic backwardness,'' she said.

Claiming that she was fighting for truth and justice, Ms Sharmila sounded optimistic and said she was hopeful that the Government would assuage the ''hurt feeling of the people of Manipur by repealing the draconian law.'' President of Human Rights Alert, a Manipur-based NGO, Babloo Loitongbam said the Apunba Lup, a conglomerate of 32 civil society organisations fighting for repeal of AFSPA, has submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh but no reply has come from him though Home Minister Shivraj Patil has agreed to meet a delegation of Apunba Lup.

''We have given a representation to the PMO for a personal meeting, but so far no communication has been received,'' he said.

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