Not Alone After All
A lady dressed in an ethnic Manipuri costume anxiously glances at Ms. Sharmila. Most of the visitors who were present during the duration of this reporter's visit hailed from her home state. Ms. Sharmila is fondly referred to as Nura Tensingnabi - Iron Lady in Manipuri - by her admirers.
Sacrifices for a Cause
In the state of Manipur, women have always been at the forefront of political and social movements. Ms. Sharmila must be seen as a result of that trend. In an interview to BBC, her brother Mr. Singhajit Singh had noted that she has sacrificed "what could have been the best years of her young life".
Repeal the Act
These posters displaying Ms. Sharmila's picture, taken when she was under arrest, also carry a list of some of the victims of arbitrary killing carried out by the Indian Army. One of the dead included the six-month-old Rajenlung who was killed in 2005.
A Concluding Note
It is understandable that many Indians, too sensitive about the sacredness of their venerable national institutions, will be outraged by such serious allegations being leveled against the Indian Army. However, it is a duty for all those Indians, who deeply care about their nation, to patiently and carefully listen to what people like Ms. Sharmila have to say and follow it up by making amends if the allegations are found to be true.
Also, readers must appreciate the greatness of this country when it so freely allows its angry citizens to register their protest right in the heart of the national capital.
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Article comments
1 - David
She is a brave woman. I'm concerned for her. Is there any way I can help her?
2 - MillionDollarCountDown
Oh this is sad. I hope this story circulates and gets it due attention worldwide.
3 - Mayank Austen Soofi
In a late night swoop on Friday, the Delhi police arrested Ms Sharmila from Jantar Mantar and took her to the All-India Institute for Medical Sciences for urgent medical treatment.
At the time of her arrest, her pulse was 47 -- compared to the normal range of 60-80 -- and she was running a temperature.
More than 100 police personnel arrested her even as Manipuri students and other supporters sang "We shall overcome."
"Her condition is critical and we have no option but to take her to hospital," Police said.
Source: hindu.com
4 - Sharad
A fine article Mayank, but I was surprised to read the following at the end: "Also, readers must appreciate the greatness of this country when it so freely allows its angry citizens to register their protest right in the heart of the national capital."
I am sorry Mayank, but where you see greatness as a fellow Indian, I see how hollow we all are. We lionise Gandhi, our politicians bow before his samadhi at Rajghat, make speeches and bundle up a frail girl in jail for following in his path. As an Indian I would have been prouder still if Ms. Sharmila and other Manipuris did not have to go on a hunger strike to draw attention to the problem for so many years. We must all hang our heads in shame!
5 - Vikram
This type is law is just ridiculous. By giving such power to the armed fore they are not trying to restore peace, instead they are creating much problem. The Armed force who are to maintain the law and order are actually playing with the law in their hand because of the power (AFSPA) given to them. Every human society should protest against such black law of the Indian Govt
6 - varun
This is a shame.. I am ashamed to call my self a indian. they AFSPA commits so many atrocities in that state. the indian media does not even cover it. You should reado some foreign articles about these things
7 - Manu V Mathew
This is terrible, not the act of the government but the utter silence of media and society.Something need 2 be done immediately.Today it is manipuris 2mrw we all will face this. The best thing we can do is to give attention 2 the strike and let the world know about this
8 - anmol
i am proud of my india but the way people do is the most pathetic way.i hear many news on t.v but i cant do a thing