When civil society groups are rallying behind Anna Hazare for an effective Jan Lokpal aimed at to check the abuse of power, the civil societies of northeastern states are wondering as to why their struggle and fasting of 11 years by Irom Chanu Sharmila in Manipur, for a similar cause, has not been able to draw the attention of the government as well as the civil society of India.
Irom Chanu Sharmila, who has achieved exalted status in the society of frontier states of northeast, is on fast since 2000 demanding the repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which is alleged to have been abused every now and then in the northeastern states. As the Director of Human Rights Alert Babloo Loitongbam who has been struggling for the cause of Irom Chanu Sharmila says, “The civil society groups are insensitive to the issues of northeastern states. Anna Hazare is fighting against abuse of power. He wants — transparency and rules of law should prevail in the country.” Referring to proposed Jan Lokpal, Mr Loitongbam points out, “Irom Chanu Sharmilla is also fasting for the same cause — misuse of Armed Forces Special Power Act in Northeast. But, we have seen, general civil society relates to the calls of Anna Hazare on corruption or any other issue but unfortunately not to the issues of northeastern states. Though, the heart of both the issues is same.”
He said, “The moments rights activists and peoples of this region raises their voice for repealing AFSPA, they are either rejected considering fringe elements or branded anti-national.”
He argues, “The determination demonstrated by Irom Chanu Sharmila is unprecedented. Alone, she has gone on without bothering about the outcome of her efforts but government is not paying any attention to her so far.”
Mr Loitongbam feels that civil society in the forefront of such mass agitations should think about Irom Chanu Sharmila who is on fast for past 11 years opposing the atrocities on common people of the state by misusing the draconian AFSPA.
The commitment of Irom Chanu Sharmila to her cause could also be realised by the fact that she has not eaten anything, or taken a single drop of water since November, 2000. She has been forcibly fed and kept alive by nasogastric tubation in judicial custody. She has not combed her hair, nor looked at the mirror and uses a dry cotton to clean her teeth.