(Hong Kong, 10 March, 2010) Asian Human Rights Commission has received information that Ms. Irom Chanu Sharmila alias Menghaobi, popularly known as the Iron Lady of Manipur, was released from the security ward of Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital, Manipur on the evening of March 8. Right after her release, she joined the relay hunger strike organised by Sharmila Kanba Lup which has entered 452 days today at PDA Complex, Manipur in solidarity with the Iron Lady.
According to the information received by AHRC, the police are likely , charge with attempting suicide, under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Notably, she is being released before the completion of a year, as required under the law. This has been a routine affair since the year 2000 when she began her fast. Click here for more details.
Sharmila is on an indefinite fast since November 2000 protesting the withdrawal of the martial law, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) from Manipur imposed for over half-a-century. She began her fast after the Malom massacre when ten innocent people mere gunned down by the personnel of Assam Rifles, a para-military force operating in the region, as they were waiting for the bus at the Malom bus stand. For more details, click on the statement of Sharmila by the Amnesty International.
Upon her released from the hospital yesterday, Sharmila expressed deep concern over the unchanged political scenario of Manipur. She mentioned that the political scenario of the state remains unchanged since she began her protest. Sharmila revealed that during her stay in New Delhi in 2006, she came to know that many people dislike the chief minister of Manipur Mr. Okram Ibobi Singh.
Sharmila criticised the increasing number of fake encounter cases. Sharmila stated that she is living by her conscience while expressing her diminishing faith on the government.
14 March 2010 marks Irom Sharmila Chanu’s 38 birth day. To support her struggle please join a rally on 15 March 2010 at 11 am jointly organized by the Asian Human Rights Commission and Human Rights Alert. The rally will begin from Chater Garden, Exit J from Central MTR-Station to the Indian Consulate, United Building, Hong Kong.
