Irom Sharmila appeared before the metropolitan magistrate Akash Jain in the
Patiala session court of Delhi on 5th and 6th June 2015. The
Court was required to record statements of the witnesses that included the
policemen, doctors along with another person who had recorded the protest of Jantar Mantar
when Irom Sharmila was in Delhi in 2006.
In this case, the Delhi
police had lodged FIR upon Irom Sharmila under section 309 of "Attempt to
suicide'. Now as doctors did not come, the next date was given by the court with the hope
that it will be the final hearing.
Save sharmila solidarity campaign (SSSC) members accompanied Irom Sharmila in
the Court and were present in the court in solidarity. Campaign observed that
though it was a judicial requirement, but such kind of hearings are mere
unnecessarily harassment on the name of section 309 upon a human rights
activist. It is a clear contradiction in Irom Sharmila’s case as while she is
fighting for right to life, she is being charged with the allegation of taking
away the right to life.
It is also
observed that despite Irom Sharmila’s desire to meet Prime minister of India,
prime minister office have not called for any meeting yet. It is her demand
since long time that she is hopeful with democracy and she wants to meet Prime
minister. Save Sharmila Soldarity Campaign believes that not calling a meeting with
her is actually a denial of state to meet this crusader of non-violence. It is
a time when Irom Sharmila has global supporters to raise voice for her cause,
but despite all efforts and unparalleled sacrifice and struggle, Indian state
is continuously ignoring and suppressing her. It is unfortunate that the government
is giving priority of talks with those who are adopting violent ways, but it is
continuously ignoring the non-violence.
Save Sharmila
Solidarity Campaign is already involve in campaigning and will increase its activities
from coming months to spread awareness and to advocate for the cause of Irom
Sharmila.
SSSC also condemns
the Manipur attack and the questioning of demand of repeal of AFSPA. It was
reported and SSSC re-iterates the statement of Irom Sharmila who had condemned
the Manipur attack. She regarded the killing of soldiers to be shocking and
shameful. She has always condemned killing which is the reason for her protest.
She regards killing, no matter by whom, as shameful and unacceptable. She had
also said that this incident happened in a region which is under full control of
AFSPA but still it happened. It shows that AFSPA has not been the solution.
SSSC agrees and fully supports her view. SSSC feels that such attacks
are also failure of state itself as it seems that state has not even capable of
protecting its own functionaries. Also, the fact remains that the common people
are the sufferers of atrocities of both the state and anti-state groups.
Through AFSPA, the state has been involved in performing extreme atrocities
upon common people in past. SSSC believes that imposing hard laws like AFSPA
(Armed Forces Special Powers Act) in civil areas are of no use and it has been
used against people widely. There must be a strategy to remove AFSPA from all
areas of North East and J&K as without it confidence building cannot be
done. AFSPA is a failed law and it must go.
Press Release issued by
Save Sharmila Solidarity
Campaign
Contact: savesharmila@gmail.com
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