IMPHAL, Aug 13: After iconic Irom Sharmila broke her epic fast against the infamous Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 on August 9, one Arambam Robita has launched an indefinite hunger strike against the same Act from today.
Robita had yesterday announced that she would launch the fast.
When Robita disclosed her decision to carry on the crusade abandoned by Sharmila, the Salai Apunba Nupi Lamjing Lup (SALAI), Singjamei Chingamakha tried to dissuade her but it went in vain.
She started fasting against AFPSA in front of the office of Women Against Crime at Canchipur from 1.30 pm.
Robita ate last night’s dinner at 10.30 pm yesterday. Since then, she has not been eating anything.
Robita who is also the secretary of the Women Against Crime (WAC) said that she was grateful to SALAI for their concerns but is determined to do something for the masses.
She said that she would be taking over the anti-AFSPA crusade from Irom Sharmila.
On being enquired if any case involving her is pending in Court, Robita said that WAC received thousands of complaints about crimes against women and WAC has successfully resolved many of these cases.
The complainants did not spend any money while resolving these cases although some trivial amounts were demanded for fuelling vehicles used by WAC members, Robita said.
SALAI vice-president Ksh Memton while decrying that the Government of India acted blind and mute when Irom Sharmila fasted for 16 long years against AFSPA, said that SALAI did not support Robita’s decision to carry on the crusade abandoned by Sharmila.
As Robita has two children, she was requested repeatedly not to go ahead with her decision of launching an indefinite hunger strike but she was determined to carry on the crusade.
Notably, a criminal case involving Robita is pending at the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal East. The case was filed by a 22 year old woman against her husband Laishram Kenedy and WAC secretary Arambam Robita.
A case was also registered at Singjamei police station against Kenedy and Robita under IPC Section B406/386/420/426/506/498-A/34.
After Robita was arrested by police, the Court released her on bail after a PR Bond of Rs 30,000 was furnished. She was also asked to appear before the same Court on September 1 this year.
It is reported that Robita went to visit Sharmila at JN Hospital this evening but she was disappointed as she could not meet Sharmila.
