With militant issuing dictate, concerns are raised on Irom Sharmila’s security

IMPHAL: With militant outfits issuing dictate against the Irom Sharmila joining politics and marrying a non-resident Indian (NRI) security of Irom has become a matter of big concern.

The court of chief juridical magistrate (Imphal West) will hear case on Tuesday. With Sharmila declaring that she will call off her 16 yearlong fast demanding repeal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act on August 9, court is expected to order her release.

Following the threat from radical organization, the Alliance for Socialist Unity, Kangleipak (ASUK) has asked Irom Sharmila to re-think her decision to join electoral politics and marry a non-local man, congress ruled state government has chalked out elaborate security arrangement for the Prisoner of Conscience Irom Sharmila.

On Monday there were three IED explosion in Senapati district and two security forces personnel were injured.

Babloo Loitongbam, executive director of Human Rights Alert (HRA) and confident of Sharmila told ET, “We will chalk out next course of action once she is out of jail. Joining politics, abandoning fast and getting married is purely her decision. We will discuss ground realities with her once she is out.”

Babloo thinks people will spit at those who try to harm the iconic lady for she has generated tremendous goodwill in last 16 years.

“She has huge political capital. There is a myth that by removing Afspa insurgency will be strengthened. There are several acts which empowers army and army can do with those act.”

In last 16 years it is over 400 times that Sharmila has been produced to court. On July 26 after coming out of court Sharmila announced her decision of joining politics and getting married. Sharmila reportedly have a boyfriend, Desmond coutinho writer and activist. Desmond is UK national born in Goa.

Babloo argued, “The government of India has not heeded to non-violent protest of Sharmila. They eulogize Mahanta Gandhi but never follow him. Earlier congress government in the Centre was at least discussing Justice Jeevan Reddy committee. The BJP government has not only rejected the same but has maintained a stand that Afspa will not be repealed. The situation in Manipur is different from Chattisgarh or other Maoist infested areas.”

He added that even the congress government in the state has given negative signals and has supported the continuation of Afspa.

There is mixed reaction on Sharmila’s declaration that she will call of the fast. Sharmila's elder brother Singhajit told ET, “I am not aware it is Sharmila’s decision. She has not consulted me before taking the decision.

Convenor of Sharmila Kanba Lup (SAKAL) a women's body set up to show solidarity with Sharmila's struggle, Ima Mon said that the purpose of struggle is repeal of Afspa. “We want this should be repealed. It would have been better if Sharmila could have achieved it.”