IMPHAL, April 5: “I’m not a victim of AFSPA, I came out to protest against this draconian act voluntarily for the sake of humanity” said anti-AFSPA crusader Irom Chanu Sharmila today.
She said she has been protesting for the last 16 years demanding repeal of AFSPA because she cannot remain as a mute spectator to the Act.
Sharmila was speaking to media persons as she came out from the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal West Lamkhanpau Tonsing at the Uripok Chirap Court complex where she was produced today.
Sharmila further asked the people to support her movement and raised the slogan “Repeal AFSPA, release Sharmila, if AFSPA can be repealed from Tripura why not from Manipur?”
The human rights activist who is also known as the Iron Lady said the Patiala Court Delhi has already acquitted her in a similar case of attempted suicide registered in 2006 against her protest in Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
Stating that her form of protest is based on Mahatma Gandhi’s principle of non-violence, she asked if she can be charged under attempting suicide, why was Gandhi not charged similarly?
Sharmila was produced before the court in connection with the charge against her of trying to commit suicide by launching a fast unto death.
Meanwhile, observing that Sharmila has submitted that she doesn’t want a legal counsel of her own and that she desired to defend herself in the case, the CJM I/W appointed L Rebeda Devi as her free legal aid counsel.
The CJM also observed that the Sharmila has refused to sign any PR Bond and said the continued remand of Sharmila, who is produced from JN Hospital where she is being fed through a nasal tube, is in her and state interest.
Sharmila was remanded to custody for another 15 days till April 19.