SAVE SHARMILA CAMPAIGN

An initiative by civil societies

24/84, Flat No: 3, Friends Apartment, Gaffar Manzil, New Delhi 110025. 9958907799, 9968828230, 9911300375 savesharmila@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION ABOUT IROM SHARMILA WHO IS IROM SHARMILA? WHY IROM IS ON HUNGER STRIKE? Irom Sharmila Chanu, is a woman from Manipur. She is on hunger strike since the Year 2000 in Manipur. When Irom started her fast, she was only 28 years old journalist, poetess from Manipur. Irom already felt that AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958) which was imposed in Manipur, was continuously interfering the routines of citizens there. By the time, security personals behaved rudely with citizens, and therefore day by day they were losing the trust of citizens. Army was deployed in civil areas too. Irom Sharmila Chanu, reported that because of lack of restrictions and stringent actions, army was violating the basic human rights of citizens there, citizens were living under fear every time and this situation not only resulted to negative psychological impacts on the mind of people but they became victims of innocent and fake killings also. In the context, in NOV 2000, security personals opened fire and a girl who was winner of annual bravery award from President of India, was killed along with other people. Irom Sharmila, then decided to move on the track of non violent appeal to establish the fear free administration of peace and justice where basic human rights must be respected and protected, and she, since that day started her hunger strike. WHAT IS THE DEMAND OF IROM SHARMILA? To repeal the AFSPA , to establish the fear free administration of peace and justice where basic human rights should be respected and protected. She demands for a fear free administration, she demands for establishment of administration of peace in Manipur. She favors the demand of global peace and harmony, where people respect human values. WHERE IS IROM AT PRESENT? Irom is presently on hunger strike and has not left her protest. She is still with her demand to be heard by the way of non violence. Her hunger strike has become the longest in the world, and now people call him Iron lady of Manipur. She has been nominated for Nobel Peace prize i n the year 2005 and has been awarded by various other national and international peace prizes. She is under protection of government and authorities generally do not allow the public to meet her. WHAT IS AFSPA? & HOW IT IS VIOLATING HUMAN RIGHTS? AFSPA is known as Armed forces Special Power Act, which has been promulgated in parliament in 22 MAY 1958, and became an act in 11 SEP 1958. At the time of discussion on this very serious matter in parliament before making it an act, government ended it in a very brief discussion (of approx two hour only) and passed the act by majority of their parliamentarians, even after oppose of elected member of Manipur.

NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF PEOPLES MOVEMENT, ASHA PARIVAR, MAHILA CHETNA KENDRA, JAGRITI MAHILA SAMITI, KHUDAI KHIDMATGAR, YUVA KOSHISH, MISSION BHARTIYAM, SADBHAVNA MISSION, ASIAN CENTRE FOR SOCIAL STUDIES

SAVE SHARMILA CAMPAIGN

24/84, Flat No: 3, An initiative by civil societies Friends Apartment, Gaffar Manzil, New Delhi 110025. 9958907799, 9968828230, 9911300375 savesharmila@gmail.com Under the AFSPA, an army officer in command, get some special powers, which includes: Shoot to kill Open the lock Arrest without warrant Ownership over property These powers, are not given anywhere else, and as per Indian Constitution, these provisions violate the Rights of Life and Rights of Privacy but in spite of it, these are permissible under this special law. WHAT ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT OF INDIA? Government of India, after looking over the support of Irom Sharmila by general public of Manipur, decided to arrest her under the prosecution of committing suicide. Irom didnt left her hunger strike, and therefore government regularly arrest him under the law. Irom didnt accept food and water since the year 2000, and therefore government feed medicines to her through her nose. Government denied giving permission to her to meet with general public, media, supporters and even friends and families. Government very few time give permissions to meet her. Government formed Jeevan Reddy committee to know about the necessity of AFSPA, but never opened the recommended points of committee, however it became public through other sources that committee recommended to remove AFSPA. WHAT IS THE CONCERN OF OTHER AGENCIES? Various national and international agencies, human rights organizations and even United Nations have expressed their concern over this law and over the matter of Irom Sharmila. South Asian Human Rights Network, during its survey found that after this law, government is loosing the faith of public; people are unhappy with their situation and told it LAWLESS LAW. The network told that AFSPA is violating basic human rights. WHAT OTHER EFFECTS? Apart from these results, it should be noted that deployment of Army in any dense civil area, will make negative impact over the public life there. Apart from the other things, living in the shade of guns is itself a negative impact which may affect child psychology. Safety of women and children is prime issue and many cases have been reported about the rapes and other sex abuse by security personals.

NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF PEOPLES MOVEMENT, ASHA PARIVAR, MAHILA CHETNA KENDRA, JAGRITI MAHILA SAMITI, KHUDAI KHIDMATGAR, YUVA KOSHISH, MISSION BHARTIYAM, SADBHAVNA MISSION, ASIAN CENTRE FOR SOCIAL STUDIES