IMPHAL, Aug 23 - Irom Chanu Sharmila, also known as the Iron Lady of Manipur, who ended her 16-year-long fast against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act a fortnight ago, today said she would apply for her legal documents, including an identity card, to continue the campaign against the AFSPA.
�I am planning to stay in an ashram for some time and then in Ukhrul while applying for the relevant documents. I plan to attend an anti-AFSA campaign in Delhi, which will be held in association with the North East Forum for International Solidarity,� Sharmila told reporters during a 10-minute press conference after appearing before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) here this afternoon.
Although Sharmila is a human rights crusader of international renown, she has no voter�s identity card or Aadhar card or PAN card at present.
Sharmila�s elder brother, Irom Singhajit, said that his sister�s name was earlier enlisted on the electoral rolls of 3/39 Khurai Kongkham Leikai (A) Balbidya Mandir polling booth under the Khurai constituency in Imphal East district. But when the website of the Chief Electoral Officer was checked, her name could not be found.
�First, she needs to apply for a domicile certificate. So everything will start from today itself,� a friend and supporter of Sharmila said when contacted. Another supporter will help her in opening a bank account.
Meanwhile, after an hour-long examination before the Court of Imphal CJM Lamphanpau Tonsing, Sharmila, who has been invited for an international youth conference to be held in Punjab next month, reiterated that she has not changed her stand against the AFSPA, but only the strategy. Stating that she wants to champion her cause through electoral politics, Sharmila, who is at present staying at the JNIMS for health reasons as doctors are monitoring her diet since her digestive system had been inactive for 16 years, claimed that the youth, who want a change, have also come out to support her.
The 44-year-old who broke her fast with a dab of honey on August 9, said that she would fight elections to continue her campaign against the AFSPA that gives virtual immunity to security personnel to raid, arrest and kill people, and is seen as a cover for human rights abuse by critics.
Earlier, Sharmila arrived at the court complex at Uripok here with security escort around 11.10 am. She was greeted by a group of people, mostly youths, holding placards which read, �I am with Eche (elder sister) against AFSPA� and �Justice will prevail� at the court complex, to extend support to her.
Sharmila�s counsel, L Rebeda, said that the court has examined Sharmila�s statements and fixed the final hearing on September 5.
