I demand to live as human being, says Irom Sharmila
5 March 2013 5:45 AM IST
Irom Sharmila who has been on a hunger strike for the past 12 years, in protest against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), was on Monday charged with alleged attempt to commit suicide during her fast until death at Jantar Mantar in 2006, by a Patiala House court, after she refused to plead guilty in the case.
Sharmila appeared before the judge amid protest outside the court premises 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.'
The activist, who is being fed through her nose, said, 'I love life. I do not want to take my life but I want justice and peace.' Sharmila was flown in from Manipur on Sunday evening for the court proceedings.
Metropolitan Magistrate Akash Jain told Sharmila that she has been accused of attempting to commit suicide and prima facie the charge is against her. When asked by the court whether she wants to plead guilty, the activist refused and claimed trial.
'I respect you but the law of the land does not permit you to take your life,' said the judge, asking her counsel to make Sharmila understand the process. After discussions with her counsel, the activist said, 'If AFSPA will be repealed by the government only then will I take food and throw away the food pipe,’ on which the judge said, 'This is a political process. Here, I am concerned with this case only.'
Sharmila’s counsel told the court that she has been protesting for the past 12 years in the most non-violent way, like Mahatma Gandhi, and is fasting for the people of Manipur as she feels they are being neglected by the government. Citing her medical condition, the counsel also requested the judge that she should not be asked to appear in court repeatedly.
The court framed charges against her under section 309 of the IPC (attempting to commit suicide). The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for 22 May for recording the prosecution’s evidence in the case.
Sharmila has been carrying on her fast for nearly 12 years to demand repeal of AFSPA in Manipur. The activist began her fast in 2000 after Assam rifles personnel shot and killed 10 civilians in November 2000 at Malom village in Manipur. In Manipur, where she has been booked under the same 309 IPC charge, Sharmila is being force-fed in the security ward of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal since 2002.
Her fast at Jantar Mantar was started on 4 October 2006 demanding revocation of AFSPA.
Sharmila appeared before the judge amid protest outside the court premises 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.'
The activist, who is being fed through her nose, said, 'I love life. I do not want to take my life but I want justice and peace.' Sharmila was flown in from Manipur on Sunday evening for the court proceedings.
Metropolitan Magistrate Akash Jain told Sharmila that she has been accused of attempting to commit suicide and prima facie the charge is against her. When asked by the court whether she wants to plead guilty, the activist refused and claimed trial.
'I respect you but the law of the land does not permit you to take your life,' said the judge, asking her counsel to make Sharmila understand the process. After discussions with her counsel, the activist said, 'If AFSPA will be repealed by the government only then will I take food and throw away the food pipe,’ on which the judge said, 'This is a political process. Here, I am concerned with this case only.'
Sharmila’s counsel told the court that she has been protesting for the past 12 years in the most non-violent way, like Mahatma Gandhi, and is fasting for the people of Manipur as she feels they are being neglected by the government. Citing her medical condition, the counsel also requested the judge that she should not be asked to appear in court repeatedly.
The court framed charges against her under section 309 of the IPC (attempting to commit suicide). The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for 22 May for recording the prosecution’s evidence in the case.
Sharmila has been carrying on her fast for nearly 12 years to demand repeal of AFSPA in Manipur. The activist began her fast in 2000 after Assam rifles personnel shot and killed 10 civilians in November 2000 at Malom village in Manipur. In Manipur, where she has been booked under the same 309 IPC charge, Sharmila is being force-fed in the security ward of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal since 2002.
Her fast at Jantar Mantar was started on 4 October 2006 demanding revocation of AFSPA.
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