Imphal, May 20 : A hunger strike to demand repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act AFSPA and to support the fast unto death launched by Irom Sharmila at PDA complex, Imphal East, entered its 162nd day today.
The relay hunger strike launched by Sharmila Kanba Lup (Save Sharmila Organisation) started on December 10 last year.
Representatives of various organisations from all nooks and corners of the state come daily at the venue to take part in hunger strike as a mark of solidarity to Sharmila.
A similar relay hunger strike is also on at Thoubal district.
Sharmila has been on fast for more than eight years demanding repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 and is kept alive by feeding her through nose here at the JN hospital.
Following a massacre on November 2, 2000, at Malom, Imphal, allegedly by troops of 8 Assam Rifles, Sharmila went on a fast unto death demanding repeal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958.
For her enduring sacrifice and dedication, she was among the 1,000 women nominated for Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.
On May 8, 2007, Sharmila was awarded the Gwangju prize for Human Rights in Seoul, South Korea.
Sharmila has rejected all pleas to call off her stir.
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had announced in 2004 during a visit to Imphal that the AFSPA would be made more ‘humane’ and the government would take appropriate action after Justice Jeevan Reddy Commission submits its report. The Commission had recommended repeal of the Act.
The Act enables the military to kill anybody on mere suspicion.
The AFSPA was the main election plank of the Lok Sabha elections.