PPFA extends moral support to Sharmila
Guwahati: Patriotic People’s Front Assam (PPFA) expressesshock andutter dismay
over the unwanted diktat imposed by a sectionofrebellion elements in Manipur
on Irom Sharmila Chanu for her decisionto end her hunger strike, join in
politics and marry her longtimefriend. The forum opines, it looks very odd
when those elementsinstead of showingrespect to the fasting lady for her
prolongedsacrifice, only wanted to materialize their selfish interestout
ofSharmila’s path of agitation.Mentionable is that Sharmila is on fast since
November 2000raisingdemands to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers
Act(AFSPA) fromManipur, the Myanmar bordering northeast Indian State(province).
Sheargued that the security personnel, engaged in her State(includingmany parts
of northeast India and J&K) forcounter-insurgencyoperation, continued taking
advantage of AFSPA to kill evencivilianswith impunity.The middle aged activist,
who remained under arrest for thecountry’ssuicide related laws and put in
Jawaharlal Nehru Instituteof MedicalSciences of Imphal, was nasal-fed by the
doctors to keep heralive allthe years. Sharmila’s family members used to
believe thatshe wasalmost half-dead because of unusual food and life-style
forlong 16years.However, her recent declaration that she would end her fast
untodeath on 9 August 2016, surprised many including thoseindividuals whowas
supporting her cause. Most of them agreed that it washerindividual decision,
but some elements in Meitei societycame out topublicly criticize Sharmila for
her declaration that shewould notonly end her fast, but also might join in
politics andmarry.Sharmila however insisted that she would continue
fightingagainstAFSPA with other political means. She also intended tocontest
ManipurAssembly polls (as an independent candidate), scheduled fornext
year,with an aim to fight politically against the draconian laws.Expressing
dissatisfaction over terming her a Devi (goddess)by asection of
people,Sharmila opted for marriage (with DesmondCoutinho) to lead a normal
life.“It is shocking that some elements of Manipur arerelentlesslyopposing
Sharmila’s decision to end her hunger strike. Moreappalling, those people even
asked the Meitei activist notto contestin any elections and abandon her plan to
marry anon-Manipurinational. It is simply ridiculous to impose diktats
overSharmila orany one by anybody,” said a statement issued by PPFA.Sharmila’s
decision to end her fast should (must) be respected andnobody can come on her
way for a new life, asserted PPFAadding thatO. Ibobi Singh led government in
Imphal must ensure herprotection inthe backdrop of the situation and the
Manipuri civilsocieties shouldcome forward raising their voices loud & clear
againstthose elementswho dare to prevent an individual from fulfilling
one’spersonal(legal) will.Issued by Rupam Barua, Nava Thakuria, Pramod
Kalita,JagadindraRaichoudhury, Anup Sarma etc for PPFA
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