arp2041
BANNED
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2012
- Messages
- 10,406
- Reaction score
- -9
- Country
- Location
A Delhi court on Monday framed charges against Irom Chanu Sharmila, who has been on fast for about 12 years demanding repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), for allegedly attempting to commit suicide during her ‘fast until death’ here in 2006.
Metropolitan Magistrate (MM) Akash Jain framed charges against 40-year-old Sharmila under section 309 (attempting to commit suicide) of the IPC after she refused to plead guilty, saying that her protest was a non-violent.
Putting her on trial, the court has now listed the matter for May 22 for recording of prosecution evidence in the case relating to her fast until death which started on October 4, 2006 at Jantar Mantar.
Amid protest outside the court premises, Ms. Sharmila appeared before the judge and said, “I do not want to commit suicide. Mine is only a non-violent protest. It is my demand to live as a human being.”
She also told the court, “I love life. I do not want to take my life but I want justice and peace.”
The magistrate, however, told her that she has been accused of attempting to commit suicide and prima facie the charge is there against her.
“I respect you but the law of the land does not permit you to take your life,” the judge said, asking her counsel to make her understand the process.
Even after discussions with her counsel, Ms. Sharmila said, “If AFSPA will be repealed by the government then only I will take food and will throw the food pipe.” She is being force-fed by a food pipe through her nose for more than a decade.
The court, however, told her, “This is a political process. Here I am concerned with this case only.”
Ms. Sharmila had launched her fast unto death in 2000 after 10 civilians were killed by Assam Rifles personnel at Malom area near Imphal airport.
Later while meeting the media persons outside the court room at Patiala House Complex, Ms. Sharmila reiterated that she is only following Mahatma Gandhiji's principle of non-violence while voicing her protest against AFSPA.
Activist Irom Sharmila Chanu, who was charged on Monday with attempting suicide for her fast unto death here in 2006 while demanding repeal of controversial AFSPA, said she is following Mahatma Gandhi’s principle of non-violence and should not be “discriminated” against.
Ms. Sharmila saiid she and other residents of States affected by Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) need “peace” and “not violence” and the democratic leaders should hear her “non-violent protest”.
She expressed her desire “to live a normal life” and asked why the government was “scared of giving her fundamental rights of a human being”.
“I am just a simple woman who wants to follow the non-violent principle of Gandhiji, the father of the nation. Just treat us also like him and do not discriminate. As a leadership, don’t be biased against a human being,” the 40-year-old Manipuri activist, whose counsel had sought court’s permission to talk to media, said.
Ms. Sharmila was flown in to Delhi from Manipur last evening to appear before a court in New Delhi which framed charges on Monday under section 309 (attempting to commit suicide) of the IPC against her after she refused to plead guilty, saying that her’s was a non-violent protest.
She told reporters that she has been protesting for past nearly 12 years for the society and is demanding the rights of a democratic citizen.
“I am doing this for the society and other AFSPA affected States but we are the citizens of a democratic country and so my demand is for rights of a democratic citizen who needs justice. We need peace, not violence. Our democratic leaders should hear my non-violent protest,” she said.
Ms. Sharmila, who is in judicial custody and is being fed through a tube, added that Justice (retd) B P Jeevan Reddy Committee, set up to review the AFSPA, has also recommended repealing of this “draconian law”.
She also accused the government and the Army of “colluding for cheating” people.
Ms. Sharmila had launched her fast unto death in 2000 after 10 civilians were killed by Assam Rifles personnel at Malom area near Imphal airport.
She had earlier said that she was confident that the government will listen to her and concede to her demand to revoke AFSPA.
Asked if she was satisfied with the developments on the issue of extra judicial killings in Manipur on which Justice Santosh Hegde is conducting hearing even as the apex court has formed a probe committee, she said the government is not behaving “as a leadership which should work for society’s betterment”.
“The government will remain adamant for the time being because they are not realising. They are not behaving as a leadership which should work for the betterment of the people and the society,” she said.
On being asked whether she wished to continue her protest “because the government does not seem to be listening”, she said “revolution will take time and it depends on the will of people”.
“I am also a human being who wants peace and justice. I am against the government which uses violence as a means to govern,” she said, adding that she will also remind them of their “real responsibilities as leadership”.
Expressing her desire to live a normal life, Ms. Sharmila said, she is also a social being and claimed the government was “scared of giving her fundamental rights of a human being”.
“What I just want from them (government) is to see me as an innocent woman who loves civilisation and is a rational being...,” she said.
Irom Sharmila charged with attempting suicide - The Hindu
@KRAIT @Skull and Bones @Dillinger @Abingdonboy @RISING SUN @Ayush @KS @hinduguy & other Indians.......
Do you know this woman?? Do you know that this woman is fasting for complete 12 years for the revocation of AFSPA??? Do you know that for these past 12 years, she is being nasal fed???
Do you have ever seen her on a News Channel??? Do you have ever seen her interview???
Why is our 24*7*365*infinity media silent on her???
Someone fasts for 7 days in a full media glare & becomes a national hero overnight but no one knows about the woman who has fasted for complete 12 years??? Is this how we treat our Heroes??
Soon she will be seen in a Prison, for taking her own life.
I know about her for quite sometime now, but not b'oz of 24*7 media, but b'coz of my habit of digging the net.
I can only say - God Save India!!!
Last edited by a moderator: