IMPHAL, Aug 4 - Manipur MP Dr Thokchom Meinya today raised the demand for repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA )1958 during zero hour discussion in the Lok Sabha.
On July 27 this year, human rights activist Irom Chanu Sharmila, who has been on fast since November 2000 in protest against AFSPA, said she was ending her fast-unto-death protest against Afspa and contest elections in Manipur. She will be produced before the court on August 9.
�For the last 16 years, Sharmila, the Iron Lady of Manipur has lived under house arrest as an under trial prisoner in the special ward of the JNIMS hospital in Imphal. She had been force-fed through her nose all these years,� Meinya said in a statement.
�We are happy to hear that she has decided to lead a normal life. We wish her well. The recent Supreme Court verdict declaring the Army and police are not free to use excess force even under the AFSPA is something long overdue�, the MP said.
Stating that the time has come for the AFSPA to go, the statement said, �Hence, I strongly urge the Union Government to immediately repeal this infamous law AFSPA 1958.�
He also raised the issue of All India Federation of University and College Teachers Organisation�s proposed strike. Thousands of teachers, librarians, other academic staff and administrative staff from all States of the country will assemble at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi to participate in a massive demonstration, sources added.
