Army act stays, but a thought for Irom

Manipur organisations opposed to forces’ presence - Special facilities for Sharmila, says Ibobi

Imphal, July 20: Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh today ruled out withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from the state. He, however, said his government was giving special attention to Irom Sharmila, who has been on a fast-unto-death since November 2000 demanding repeal of the act. “The state government has provided special facilities, including medical care and security, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital to save Irom Sharmila’s life,” Ibobi Singh told the Assembly even as the Opposition warned that Manipur would go up in flames if she died. The human rights crusader went on hungerstrike after 10 civilians died in a firing by Assam Rifles personnel at Malom in Imphal West in November 2000. She has been in jail since and is surviving on nasal feeding. Sharmila’s issue came up for discussion in the Assembly during Question Hour when leader of the Opposition Radhabinod Koijam asked the government to save her life by persuading her to call off the fast. Ibobi Singh told the House, “I have met her repeatedly and requested her to end the hungerstrike and work with the government for restoring peace in the state. She rejected the requests. I have even tried to persuade her through her relatives. But she refused to budge from her stand.” After the state government withdrew the act from Imphal Municipal limit in August 2004, Ibobi Singh met Sharmila in judicial custody and requested her to end her fast. He told her that this was the beginning and if the situation improved the act could be withdrawn from other areas, too. The chief minister told the House that given the prevailing situation, the Centre would never allow the state government to lift the act. It had already rejected two decisions taken by the Nagaland cabinet to withdraw the act from that state, he added. Ibobi Singh said more than 30 militants groups were operating in Manipur’s hills and valley with the Kangleipak Communist Party alone having 10 factions. The government’s decision not to withdraw the act comes at a time when women activists are holding relay fast every day at Porompat near the hospital in Imphal East where Sharmila is lodged. They began the relay hungerstrike on December 10 last year under the banner of Save Sharmila Campaign. Ibobi Singh decided not to respond to Koijam’s demand for constitution of a group or committee to find a way to persuade Sharmila to end her hungerstrike.