By Dr. Syed Ahmed for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: A team of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), headed by Chairperson Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, who arrived at Imphal on Oct. 22, 2013 to hear complaints of human rights violation in Manipur, met Irom Chanu Sharmila, who has been on a fast unto death since Nov. 2000 demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 from Manipur.
The NHRC team, comprised of Justice Cyriac Joseph, Satyabrata Pal, Director General (Investigation) Ms. Kanwaljeet Deol, met Sharmila at the Security Ward of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, in Imphal, on Oct. 23. Doctors and security staff joined the team during the meeting.
The NHRC team inquired about the treatment procedure offered to Sharmila and the procedures required for meeting her. The team was peeved on learning from the Security-in-Charge, who is the Joint Secretary (Home), that one needs to get the permission to meet Sharmila from the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the treatment meted to Sharmila, the team insisted to know the reason why the State Government is imposing restriction on meeting Sharmila. The team stated that there has been no court order or injunction imposing restriction on meeting her. It was informed that a special rapporteur of NHRC, Anil Pradhan was not allowed to meet Sharmila a few months back.
The NHRC team maintains that NHRC representatives have the right to meet any person in police custody. The team also questioned the authority of the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister in this regard. The Security-in-Charge was not able to give reasonable answers to the queries of the team.
During the hour-long meeting, Sharmila expressed her dissatisfaction on putting restrictions to visitors by the State Government. She informed that the State Government is denying permission to meet her friends and well-wishers.
She further said that she is an Indian citizen and her fast against imposition of AFSPA is no different from the fast unto death stir launched by leaders in other parts of the country. She has undertaken a democratic agitation to remove an inhuman Act, however instead of respecting the agitation she has been charged with attempt to commit suicide, she added.
Sharmila also said that the State can not have peace until and unless AFSPA is withdrawn, and she would not give up her fast until the draconian Act is completely removed. She also expressed her strong conviction in her struggle and certainty that she will emerge victorious.
She appealed to the general public to treat her as a human being who has feelings and emotions, struggling for a life free from the fears of the atrocities by the security forces under the cover AFSPA. She doesn’t want be idolized by the people and considered as a martyr.
Sharmila also expressed her desire to see the general public come out and support physically in her struggle and not just lend their moral support. She also pleaded to the NHRC team for their support and intervention in her cause.
Later, addressing to media-persons, NHRC team said that the Commission has been visiting different parts of the country to study the cases of human rights violations and the team has come to the State in this regard. A report would be submitted to the Commission. After examining the report recommendations would be sent to the State and the Central Government, the team stated.
The NHRC team also held a Camp Sitting at Hotel Classic, Imphal, on Oct. 24 and heard cases of unwarranted killings, including fake encounters, which occurred in Manipur during the last few years.