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
[FriendsofAssamNE] PPFA extends moral support to Sharmila
Nava Thakuria [email protected] [FriendsofAssamNE] Sat, 06 Aug 2016 22:33:07 -0700
