A living Gandhi from the North east

Irom Sharmila and her struggle with Conscience.

Mohammed Tanveer Iqbal

A couple of months back during my discussion with my London based friend who is an editor of a Tamil news portal, I asked him 'why don't you publish something on Irom Sharmila'. Without delay instantly he paused me 'who is she?' I told him she is a living Gandhi from North Eastern part of India and is fasting for more than a decade to repeal controversial Armed Force (Special Powers) act 1958. It was no wonder because being a Tamilian that to a NRI he has less chance of knowing Irom. But it's most pathetic because a majority of fellow Indian excluding North East India is unaware of her, would not have probably heard of her.

She is a 39 years old hailing from Manipur and has been continuously on fast this November she will complete her eleventh year. She hasn't taken a single morsel of food or a single drop of water on her own during this period. On November 2, 2000, in Malom, a town five kilometers away from Imphal the capital of Manipur state, ten civilians were allegedly shot and killed by the Assam Rifles - Paramiltary forces while waiting at a bus stop. The next day's local newspapers published graphic pictures of the dead bodies, including one of a 62-year old woman, Leisangbam Ibetomi, and 18-year old Sinam Chandramani, a 1988 National Child Bravery Award winner. After this incident Sharmila began to fast in protest of the killings, taking neither food nor water.

Three days after she began her strike, she was arrested by the police and charged with an "attempt to commit suicide", which is unlawful under section 309 of the IPC, and was later transferred to judicial custody. Her health deteriorated rapidly, and the police then forcibly had to use nasogastric intubation in order to keep her alive while under arrest. Since then, Irom Sharmila has been regularly released and re-arrested every year since under IPC section 309, a person who "attempts to commit suicide" is punishable "with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year [or with fine, or with both]".

At least in North East by 2004, Sharmila had become an "icon of public resistance". Following her procedural release On October 2, 2006, Irom Sharmila went to Raj Ghat, New Delhi, which she said was "to pay floral tribute to my idol - Mahatma Gandhiji". Later that evening, Sharmila headed for Jantar Mantar for a protest demonstration where she was joined by students, human rights activists and other concerned citizens. On 6 October, she was re-arrested by the Delhi police for attempting suicide and was taken to the AIIM. Later on she was shifted to the Jawahar Lal Nehru Hospital of Imphal where she is still on fasting demanding the repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, a draconian Act which has been responsible for a number of human rights violations of citizens of North East and J&K.

In India to meet a prisoner who need to follow few simple norms like filing a form but in case of Irom Sharmila it is different. The person who intends to meet her should get permission from home minister (who happens to be the Chief Minister who holds the charge of Home department) and that will be totally frisked before meeting her. And usually permission applied to meet her gets cancelled or delayed.

In the SituationsAsia editorial meeting in April June we decided to cover a story on Irom Sharmila and after a long discussion it was decided it would be better if it was a field report by meeting Irom Sharmila directly.

After few preliminary research it was clear that many human rights activists and journalists attempt to meet Irom Sharmila in Jawahar Lal Nehru Hospital were foiled to due to the long process and lesser probability of getting permission. So we dropped the permission process and opt to meet Irom Sharmila in Imphal District Court where she is produced every fortnight.

With the help of NAPM's Faisal Khan we got in contact with Kshetrimayum Onil an Imphal based activist and Singhajit Singh brother of Irom Sharmila to help us regard to the coverage.

It was confirmed that on 5th of July Irom Sharmila will be produced before the Chief Judicial magistrate of Imphal. Thus I reached Imphal on 4th July 2011 and the journey to Imphal from Chennai was the most difficult one in my life even reaching Srinagar was much easier. Reaching Imphal by road you have to take taxi from Dibrugarh or Guwhati which are nearest railway station as Imphal has only airport and bus depot. Travelling from Guwhati is less dangerous than from Dibrugarh because we have less chance of getting caught between the armed encounter between the military and rebels which happens regularly in the inner district as Manipur is majorly covered with hills.

As I reached Imphal I was welcomed by Onil and the drive in to the town was on a broad clean road but the roads where guarded by commandos at every 100 metres on each side, stopping and checking vehicle randomly. He dropped me to a hotel near Khwairamband bazaar. Onil reminded me that 'this bazaar (market) which is of a two storied buildings and the uniqueness the market is that thousands of vendor in the market are women and this century old custom where no men is allowed in the market and vendors are called as imas (mothers). This market got the attention of the whole world due to the demonstration of imas before Kangla fort the headquarters of Assam rifles in the year 2004'

On July 15th 2004 a group of Manipururi women consisting twelve imas from the Khwairamband bazaar demonstrated outside the Kangla fort after stripping themselves naked. These ordinary mothers and grandmothers, who eked out the hard living from the market held a banner "Indian Army Rape Us"! The shocking pictures were seen all over the world.  Ima Momonleima was the brave old lady who led the Imas. However immediate response was to jail them all for three months.

This act was the outcome of the brutal rape and killing of Thangjam Manorama Devi. This young woman was picked by the Assam Rifles personnel on July 10, 2004 and her body was later found with terrible signs of torture and rape. The official response was that she was a member of the banned People's Liberation Army and died while resisting the arrest.

Later on that day I met Singhajit Singh brother of Irom Sharmila outside Punjab National bank where he was helping few widows who were victim of insurgence to open bank accounts, he was old man in his sixties. He recalled, "The killings took place on 2 November, 2000. It was a Thursday. Sharmila used to fast on Thursdays since she was a child. That day she was fasting too. She has just continued with her fast". Her primary demand to the Indian government was the repeal of the AFSPA, which allowed soldiers to indefinitely detain any citizen on suspicion of being a rebel. The act has been blamed by opposition and human rights groups for permitting torture, forced disappearances and extrajudial executions".

"I seems time is changing as the non violent struggle of Irom Sharimila for repealing AFSPA is gaining momentum because of the awareness programs by non North East Indian such as Save Sharmila Campaign. Earlier only the people from North East were raising voice in aid of Sharmila but now people from different part of country are supporting Sharmila" he added.

After finishing my lunch I visited the Khwairamband bazaar, the Imas (mothers) could be seen selling vegetables, fruits,  fish, household items, colour woven shawls and other handloom items. I had gone looking for Ima Momonleima the brave mother who led 2004 demonstration. I tried to find her among the melee if shoppers, mostly women with cute babies strapped on their backs. All I got was gracious smiles; some of the imas just nodded not understanding a word of what I spoke. They were friendly but there was a cautious suspicion. One of the old ladies told me that Momonleima did not come to market anymore and her spot was now occupied by one of her relatives. I felt the market reached back hotel before 5pm as everything gets shut down in Imphal before 6pm.

The next day Onil picked me from the hotel room and we went to the district court on his Kinetic Honda. On the way Onil explained me how for the so called development project the government of Manipur is evacuating the common man and he showed me many places on the way where evacuation was done.

We reached a complex which had many buildings inside it, due to mobility of advocates I got assured that this is court and to my surprise the complex also consisted and building which had a board of "Manipur Human Rights Commission" which was shut down years back. 'The process to reactivate it is still on' Onil informed me. We reached a block which is supposed to be where Irom Sharmila will be produced in few minutes. We saw a couple of lecturers from South East Manipur College which was 40 kms away from Imphal were waiting for Irom. They had brought a dairy as gift which had few poems dedicated to Irom.

As we were waiting for Irom Sharmila, a group military convoy consisting five jeeps filled with commandos and prison vehicle reached but were disappointed to see that it was not Irom but some other accused persons. Later on an another small convoy of military reached and a woman bright in sprit covering herself with cream coloured shawl escorted with women police got down from prison vehicle entered the premises of court, it was none bur Irom Sharmila.

We met the district magistrate Roland Keishingh and luckily he granted us permission to interview Sharmila for few minutes but in his presence. I sat next Irom Sharmila node my head which she replied with a node. Then Onil introduced me to Irom as Journalist from SituationsAsia and a volunteer of Save Sharmila Campaign. She could hardly complete a sentence it was difficult for her and her voice was in lower tone thus need much attention to hear what she is conveying.

Exclusive interview of Irom Chanu Sharmila iron lady of Manipur

What did instigate you to this (fast)?

This is for the sake of the downtrodden ones against the inhuman activities of the rulers. I'll fast until the Act (AFSPA 1958) is removed.

What you did after decided to fast for this cause?

I met my mother on November 4th evening and took her blessing. (After that till now she has not met her old mother).

It's more than a decade you started fasting and your health has worse in due course, what makes up steadfast?

My conscience, this is a spiritual struggle.

How long will these continue.....

I am doing this for the sake of truth and peace. I believe that truth will succeed one day. I will continue till (pauses for few seconds)..... This strive is on principle of belief and conscience.

Do you think will government agree on your demand repealing AFSA?

(Smiles...... no reply).

Do you still write poems or how you spend your time in the security ward?

Nowadays I have started doing painting on various themes such as leela's of the god.

Game, time pass....

I like games because they give good health and for me yoga is game. I play (do yoga) all day.(She laughed)

Now after a decade your struggle is gaining momentum due to different campaigns to create awareness about cause. How you feel?

Very positive, feel supportive and hopeful. I wish gods does everything fine.

After the interview I left Imphal we the last words from the district magistrate who explained that the matter of repealing AFSPA is not with the court but with the nethas (politicians) who can do repeal it using the parliament.

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act was introduced in parts of the Indian north-east in1958.

The AFSPA grants the Indian military special powers to arrest citizens and enter their property without warrant, shoot and kill anyone on mere 'suspicion' and enjoy immunity against legal action, amongst other things.

According to the government-appointed Justice Jeevan Reddy Commission, 'the Act has become a symbol of oppression, an object of hate and an instrument of discrimination and high-handedness.'

The United Nations Committee on Racial Discrimination too has urged the Indian government to repeal the law. Many groups which have studied the AFSPA and its enforcement closely have called again and again for the repealing of the Act immediately given its tyranny on India's own citizens.

Like many other antiquated Indian laws the AFSPA too is a slightly modified version of an old British colonial Act imposed to control a nationwide struggle by Indian nationalists for independence. The AFSPA was enacted in 1958 and initially aimed at the Naga insurgent movement for independence from India but amended in 1972 to be applicable to all the seven provinces in the north- eastern region of India.

Known as the 'seven sisters' the provinces of Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland- are among the most neglected and underdeveloped parts of India.

In present day scenario, for instance AFSPA in Manipur doesn't serve any purpose. It is a defunct and failed law as it has no means controlled the insurgency or underground movement in the state. When it was imposed in December 1980, there were only three insurgent groups, but over the 31years there are now more than 40 underground groups, proving that the Act has been ineffective in curbing the anti national activities.

Resistance against this repressive law dates back it is very inception, even by many progressive Members of Parliament when the bill was introduced in the Indian Parliament in 1958. But the then Home Minister Mr. G.P. Pant justified the passing of the Act as an interim measure which will be lifted once the situations in the Naga Hills were under control. However 51 year down the line the act has not only stayed in the statute book but it has spread to all over the North East India today and was also extended to Jammu and Kashmir in 1991.

In times when violence is on the rise and we are increasingly progressing in a more aggressive world, the silent peaceful protest of Sharmila appears to be anachronistic. It is unfortunate that the governments of Manipur or India are not paying any heed to her fast. Her demand may be very difficult to meet for the government but at least the government functionaries should talk to her. She has chosen the most peaceful method of putting her demand across.

She has chosen to silently suffer so that the sufferings of her brothers and sisters of North East can be ended. She is fighting for truth and justice in a non-violent manner. Those are the values which Mahatma Gandhi cherished and propagated. The choice is before us. Do we want a world where people are guided by their narrow and immediate interests and trample upon each other's rights in a competitive environment? Or we want a world where human rights are respected and people feel free in a mutually caring environment? Do we want a world where police and military states are the norm or we want a world where people feel secure because of the trust that they repose in each other? Sharmila is the voice of our conscience. She is posing the question to us. We have to respon