Irom Sharmila

While Anna Hazare has done a commendable work bringing government to its knees after he went for a fast unto death for passage of a strong anti corruption law, I would like to mention about a similar person championing for a cause. Irom Sharmila is also on a fast unto death since last 10 years against AFSPA(Armed Forces Special Powers Act) in Manipur.

Her fast against this act started in 2000 when several civilians were allegedly killed by security forces in Manipur. She wants revocation of this law. Since the central government could not relent due to cessation activities still present & Irom Sharmila wont budge too, she is presently under house arrest and is given liquid food through nose by government to keep her alive. Imagine this for 10 years & she is still continuing. She is really an inspiration for me to keep fighting against all odds.

To make things clear I will write some provisions of AFSPA, which is currently in operation in J&K and states of North East.
-Permits army to fire at a suspected insurgent (even to causing of death) without any fear of punishment.
-Empowers armed forces to search & arrest without a formal warrant.
-Prohibits the prosecution of soldier accused of misusing the provisions of the act until the central govt grants sanction.
(Imagine all these provisions operating in Delhi or Mumbai!!!)

Here my point is not to debate for or against this law, but to show the determination of this iron lady. The night she learned of the massacre, Sharmila had scribbled on a piece of paper: "What is the origin of peace and what will be the end." The next day, she ate a meal her mother had prepared and told her of the killings at the bus stop. Sharmila has not eaten since.