IMPHAL, August 24: Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam’s statement that Sharmila’s re-arrest was for her own protection is a lie, made to deceive the general public, alleged Sharmila Kanba Lup, SAKAL today.
SAKAL convenor S Momon Leima said SAKAL also condemn the harsh words used by police women while forcibly arresting Sharmila on August 22.
Irom Chanu Sharmila was re-arrested after her release from judicial custody on August 20 following a judgement of a sessions court.
Speaking to media persons at their office, she said the police should have acted gentler during Sharmila’s arrest.
Instead of forcibly shoving her into a police Gypsy, they could have come in an ambulance to pick Sharmila who has been on a hunger strike for the welfare of the whole society, she lamented.
Continuing to rain the group’s ire on the State deputy Chief Minister, she said Gaikhangam’s August 23 statement made during a programme at the Manipur University is baseless and a blatant lie, and alleged that the government has done nothing to repeal AFSPA and save Sharmila.
She continued the government need to perform and act out the right steps to repeal the draconian Act from the State.
The government has been deceiving the public with its repeated assurance of working in the right direction to repeal AFSPA, she said while adding that it has been the same for the past 14 years.
She said the government has been stating that the law and order situation need to improve before the Act can be removed, which has been going on for the last 14 years deceiving Sharmila and her 14-year long fast.
The government should repeal the Act to save Sharmila’s life, she said.
A SAKAL member S Gyaneshori said the government’s little game to release Sharmila and then re-arrest her will not bog down the movement demanding repeal of AFSPA and neither will it stop Sharmila’s fast, she said.
Repeal the Act, like the government has repealed the Disturbed Area Status from the seven Assembly segments and save Sharmila’s live, Gyaneshori said before adding that the government should stopped faking care for Sharmila and stop making any more false statements or assurances on the issue.