Correspondent
IMPHAL, August 23
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he re-arrest of activist Irom Chanu Sharmila has evoked sharp reaction from various quarters including the Amnesty International India and Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC).
The re-arrest of Sharmila for ‘attempted suicide’ shows utter disregard for her constitutional rights, claimsed Shailesh Rai of Amnesty International India which is a part of the Amnesty International global human rights movement.
For the past two days, Rai was among many well wishers and activists who visited Sharmila to share joy on hearing the release from custody to express solidarity with her struggle against AFSPA.
Sharing a similar sentiment, Ravi Nitesh, core member SSSC, which is a nation-wide campaign in support of Irom Sharmila and for the repeal of the draconian law of AFSPA, said instead of focusing on her demand, her issue, the Government is only responding by arresting her. “Both the state and centre have not made a single attempt to open talks with her in these 14 years,” he claimed.Functionaries of Sharmila Kanba Lup (SKL), a Save Sharmila Campaign Organisation of women folks supporting her cause have condemned the police action while arresting sharmila.
Alleging that Sharmila was re-arrested using brute force, the Sharmila Kanba Lup (SKL), a Save Sharmila Campaign Organisation of women folks supporting her cause, has strongly condemned the police action.
Forcible re-arrest and dumping her at hospital cannot be any attempt to save Sharmila, SKL’s co-convenor S Momon Leima alleged. The police should have showed at least some respect to Sharmila. After all, she is now a public figure who has dedicated her life for the cause of peoples’ rights, another functionary of SKL Sakhi added.
Soon after her re-arrest on Friday on charges of attempt to commit suicide and force-fed her for 14 years, Sharmila was produced before the Court of Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Imphal East and remanded in judicial custody till September 5.
Sharmila went on hunger strike in November 2000 after security forces allegedly gunned down 10 innocent people, saying she would break her fast only after the AFSPA — which gives virtual immunity to security forces to raid, arrest and shoot people — was repealed.
Three days ago, a district session judge ordered her release, although he said the state could continue to feed her by nose since her protest was political in nature.
