Hunger Striking Activist Pleads Not Guilty to Attempted Suicide

NONVIOLENCE, ACTIVISM, ASIA--PACIFIC, JUSTICE, HEALTH, 11 Mar 2013

Rahul Bedi – The Telegraph

A 40-year old Indian female activist, who has been on a protest hunger strike for more than 12 years, has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted suicide.

Irom Sharmilla, who has been force-fed since 2000 by authorities through a tube in her home state of Manipur, said the hunger strike was her way of attracting the Indian government’s attention to human rights violations by the army in the area.

“This is my way of protest. I love life but at the same time I want the government to stop the killings in my state” she told the packed courtroom in New Delhi.

Manipur is one of several northeastern states facing armed rebellions against Indian rule.

It has around 19 separatist groups whose demands range from autonomy to independence.

“I am not committing suicide and I want to say that I am not guilty” she said.

Attempted suicide is a criminal offence in India punishable with imprisonment.

“Manipur is in turmoil and I want justice. Why does the government ignore basic human rights? There is no way I will give up my fast” she declared.

The activist had her last voluntary meal on November 4, 2000, before she witnessed the killing of 10 people by army soldiers who continue to be shielded by the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from prosecution for all such acts.

The victims in the shooting included a 62-year old woman and an infant.

Ms Sharmila, who has been fasting while calling for the AFSPA to be scrapped in Manipur, has languished for 12 years in a dingy and secluded government hospital ward in the state capital Imphal where she is forcibly fed under police supervision.

Known locally as the “Iron Lady”, Ms Sharmila, who is a poet, remains confined to her hospital bed surrounded by her family and a handful of sympathisers.

Go to Original – telegraph.co.uk

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