Imphal’s Robita begins fast unto death against AFSPA

AFSPA indeed has become a symbol of oppression and repression of the indigenous peoples of Manipur, for its derogation of the most fundamental rights, Right to Life, Right to Justice remedy etc which can not be derogated under any circumstance.

Imphal west district police on Saturday picked up Arambam Robita, editor of “Women and Crime Journal”, a monthly magazine, for sitting on a fast-unto-death demanding the repeal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (Afspa).

Imphal: Irom Sharmila, the prominent civil rights activist, who recently called off her 16-year-long hunger strike against AFSPA said she would get married only if people reject her as a politician.

Changing her strategy from a civilian protest to taking the political route for the removal of AFSPA from the north eastern states, Sharmila ended her 16-year-old fast on August 9 and said she wanted to become the chief minister to achieve her goal.

“I have made a decision to follow “eche” (elder sister) in Sharmila’s footsteps”.

“People wanted me to continue the fast but I made a decision to end fast”. The breaking of her fast has divided Manipur society. People may not be happy.

“She didn’t obtain permission from JNIMS authorities and as such, the security personnel, deployed there, didn’t allow her to enter the hospital block where Sharmila is lodged”, Sharmila’s brother Irom Singhajit told Express. “Now she needs to first start meeting people and see the present day Manipur”, Loitangbam said.

“The credit will go to Eche Sharmila if I succeed and I will return only as a dead body if I fail”.

There is widespread speculation that she may tie the nuptial knot.