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Another Manipuri activist announces hunger strike

Last Updated 12 August 2016, 20:01 IST

Before the dust could settle over Irom Sharmila’s decision to end her fast and contest the elections in the 2017 Assembly polls, a 32-year-old Manipuri activist has said she would sit on fast-unto-death from Saturday.

Robita Leima, a social activist leading an NGO called Indian Women Against Crime (IWAC), announced at a press conference on Friday about her decision to go on a hunger strike demanding repealing of AFSPA and introduction of Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime for outsiders to enter Manipur.

“Sharmila has done a great service to the people of Manipur. People are sad that she gave up the fight at a crucial time,” Robita, known for her  agitations against AFSPA and in support of ILP, told DH over phone from Imphal.

“I want to carry her work forward. Either I will achieve the goal or I will die but I will go ahead with this. If I succeed, the credit goes to Sharmila for inspiring me,” she added.

Following her announcement, students organisations and the Emas (mothers) met Robita to convince her against fasting.

The state’s civil society feels any future agitations after Sharmila’s 16-year fast should take a different course.

Sources said the Emas told Robita that they would not support her fast and would not allow her to hold it.

“The major student groups, Emas and other civil society groups have asked her to give up the idea (of fasting). She has two daughters and husband. Her family would suffer if she goes ahead with the idea. But she is adamant,” Robita’s close aide and legal council Tezkumr Singh said.

Till Friday evening, dialogues have been on to talk her out of the fast, though Robita stuck to her plans of beginning her fast at 10 am on Saturday at Imphal’s busy Kaishampat locality.
Manipur police added they would review the situation and increase security cover if Robita decides to hold a hunger strike.

AAP offers ticket to Sharmila

Even as civil society groups continued their consultation with Irom Sharmila Chanu on Friday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) offered her a ticket and also promised her to make chief ministerial candidate, reports DHNS from Guwahati.

Sharmila, however, turned down the offer and said that she would contest as an Independent candidate.

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(Published 12 August 2016, 20:01 IST)

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