Human rights violation by armed forces in the North East
Sharmila walks out to freedom
- Rights activist out of custody after a year OUR CORRESPONDENT TELEGRAPH
INDIA Sharmila: Back home Imphal, March 7: A heavily guarded
ward of Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital threw its doors open for the first time in
the past year to let in visitors and let out the most famous face of human
rights activism in Manipur.
An Imphal court released rights crusader Irom Sharmila Chanu from judicial
custody today, on the eve on International Womens Day.
Sharmila, who been on a hungerstrike for the past seven years to press for
the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from Manipur, was taken
into custody for attempting to kill herself.
She had taken her struggle to the national capital in 2006 but was sent back
to Manipur by Delhi police in March last year.
The Manipur police took her into custody within days of her return to the
state.
She completed her remand today, but just when everyone was expecting the
court to send her to judicial custody, the additional chief judicial magistrate
of Imphal, R.K. Memcha, released Sharmila hours after she was produced before
the court.
Wrapped in a silk shawl over a checked khadi shirt, the fragile figure did
not betray the slightest relief at the courts decision.
I know the police people are waiting for my re-arrest after I walk out of
this hospital. But my stand has not changed. I will continue my struggle,
Sharmila said from her hospital bed, while waiting for the final release order.
Sharmila finally walked out of the hospital at 5.20pm, supported by two
relatives. She was about to walk to the office of meira paibis (women
activists) at her village, Kongpal Kongkham Leikai in Imphal East, but was
persuaded to go in a jeep.
On reaching the meira paibi office, she resumed her hungerstrike. A police
car arrived and remained parked nearby.
Even though the court announced its decision this morning, Jawaharlal Nehru
Hospital, located at Porompat near Sharmilas house in Imphal East, waited till
the release order came in the afternoon.
Though freed for the time being, the police are likely to take her into
custody considering that she will continue her hungerstrike.
Yesterday, a frustrated Sharmila had pleaded with the government to kill her
or let her die in peace if it did not intend to repeal the army act.
Today, family members, rights activists and meira paibis thronged Jawaharlal
Nehru Hospital for a word with the Iron Lady of Manipur.
The ward where Sharmila has been staying for the past year did not allow
visitors until they had permission from Sajiwa Jail.
My sister began her fast with blessings from our mother. The entire family
is behind her. We will not object if she wishes to continue her fast,
Sharmilas elder brother Singhajit Singh said.
The rights activists told Sharmila that the Coastal Womens Forum in Kerala
is holding a programme tomorrow to show solidarity with her struggle against
the army act.
We are behind you. You should not feel alone in this struggle for peace,
said an elderly meira paibi leader.
Is it right on the part of the government to keep me in this condition for
more than seven years? she asked.
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