IMPHAL, January 24: If AFSPA, 1958 is repealed then the State, Irom Sharmila and the people will be able to rest in peace, stated Human Right Alert director Babloo Loitongbam.
He was speaking at a press meet at the office of Human Right Alert, Kwakeithel which was jointly organised by Just Peace Foundation, Human Right Alert and Indigenous Prospective.
JPF Trustee Onil Kshetrimayum said when he tried to meet anti AFSPA campaigner Irom Sharmila today; his request for meeting her was declined with the information that she has been re-arrested.
When the programme director of Amnesty International, Sameer Babu made a similar request to the Addl. SP (Law & Order), he received the same response that Sharmila has been arrested under Section 309 of the IPC on attempt to commit suicide, Onil added.
It may be recalled that Irom sharmila was released two days ago by the JMIC, Imphal East dismissing all the charges against her. However, she continued with her agitation at the base of Samu Makhong, Kwairamband market and was rushed to JNIMS for medical attention by City Police personnel.
In a press release, the Amnesty International stated that the British Medical Association, in a briefing to the World Medical Association, has clarified that `hunger strike is not equivalent to suicide, individuals who embark on hunger strikes aim to achieve goals important to them but generally hope and intend to survive.`
The press release issued by Sameer Babu, the programme director of Amnesty International, also mentions that Sharmila is in an extraordinary situation where a peaceful protestor is being denied her constitutional right to freedom of expression. A hunger strike is not attempt to commit suicide and it is baffling why the authorities repeatedly bring the same charges against Irom Sharmila which even the courts have thrown out, it added.