Govt admits Sharmila's struggle: Kiren Rijiju

At an NDTV show aired on Friday, Kiren Rijiju said  the government has to admit her struggle but also find a way out.

He did not deny a rethink on Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

Irom Sharmila, who walked free recently after a court order, was re-arrested for alleged "attempt to suicide" and sent to 15-day judicial custody.

Immediately after her freedom, Sharmila continued with her fast staging a protest not far from the jail hospital which she left  after her release.

She said that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) imposed in Manipur is a “draconian law” which must be withdrawn.

A tricky situation emerged after her release since the court had said fasting was not attempting to suicide but at the same time said her well being should be looked after by the government even as Sharmila went on to fast again.

A Manipur court earlier released Sharmila, who since 2000 has been on an indefinite hunger strike demanding revocation of the AFSPA and being force fed with a pipe by the authorities.

The 42-year-old activist known as the ‘Iron Lady of Manipur’ earlier had wanted to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to repeal the Act that had been called “draconian” by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh too though a reform has long been dilly-dallied.

Sharmila, who was being fed through her nose at JNIMS Hospital in Imphal, launched her fast unto death in 2000 after 10 civilians were killed by Assam Rifles personnel at Malom area near Imphal airport.