Irom Sharmila’s struggle takes a new turn
Irom Sharmila Chanu's decision to break her 16 years historic fast has once again highlighted the power of the resilience of Indian democracy and the adaptability of our federal framework within which we all can search for solutions even for the most intractable problems of the nation. Popularly known as the ‘Iron lady of Manipur', who fought against the repeal of the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) 1958 since November 2000 till date, has finally realised that she can find a plausible solution by being a part of the Indian political system. Her indomitable spirit, patience and courage to fight must be appreciated. However, her announcement to join politics and starting a normal life has caught many by surprise, including her own family members and her close associates. Her movement to repeal a law like the AFSPA in disturbed areas of North-East, particularly in Manipur, does not augur well with the Indian security forces who work on the ground and face death to denial in every passing day. But her attempt to emphasise the ‘excesses' of the Armed Forces during their operations against the civilians in these areas must be checked.
It is well understood that lifting of the AFSPA can certainly be considered depending on the security risk and free movement of the civilian population in a critically disturbed area. But the provisions of the AFSPA, an emergency law that empowers our Armed Forces, must continue to remain on the statute book, given the increasingly violent and deadly terror threat that the country is facing every day. Using the AFSPA as the last instrument to prevent and control violence wrought by anti-national elements, while making an effort to bring back normalcy, must be preserved. Instilling a sense of peace and security through the agencies of the Government always let the ordinary people feel that their life and liberty is not in danger. Thus the sovereign state reasserts its power and authority as the last and the most legitimate saviour of the common people in case of the deterioration of the normal law and order situation. It is in this sense AFSPA must be called into action, else pounding on our own citizens for no reason, can hardly be justified.
The oft-repeated demand for repealing the AFSPA by Sharmila and the ‘Meira Paibis', the mothers’ organisation which has been the support system in the more than a decade-and-half struggle of hers, must be considered after threadbare analysis of both the symptoms of real threat and its perception in the disturbed zones of the country starting from Jammu & Kashmir to some parts of the North-Eastern States. The activists who led the Save Sharmila Campaign, though surprised by her decision, welcomed her move to pursue the struggle through politics. Whatsoever it may be, it is time now to focus beyond the regular narratives around the AFSPA and look into the deployment of the Forces, application of the Act and the circumstances under which it has taken such mammoth negative connotations in the public eye. To be precise, AFSPA does not prevent peaceful dialogue and it is applied only through legitimate security agencies. Sharmila's time has come to visualise the AFSPA from a realistic perspective. Alongside, the AFSPA surely needs a careful scrutiny.