http://articles.timesofindia.indiat...454_1_anna-hazare-irom-sharmila-hunger-strike
IMPHAL: Anti-Afspa crusader Irom Sharmila's elder brother, Irom Singhajit Singh, on Monday alleged that the Centre had discriminated between Anna Hazare and his sister while dealing with the issues they have been fighting for.
Singhajit said although New Delhi conceded to the Gandhian's demand in just four days, "it didn't bother to consider the fast being carried out by Sharmila for the last 10 years, seeking repeal of the military Act which gives unbridled powers to the armed forces even to the extent of shooting a person on mere suspicion".
He added, "My sister has completed 10 years of her struggle against the oppressive military Act and she is still continuing with her crusade. But no one has taken a serious note of the issue. She is fighting in a democratic manner for the people of the country who have been victimized by the Act."
The entire country was shaken when Hazare began his fast in New Delhi and in no time the Centre complied with his demand. Singhajit said, "We, in fact, truly support and laud Hazare's campaign against corruption. But Sharmila's decade-old fast to save innocent people from the atrocities of the armed forces has been totally ignored. We feel bad at such a discriminatory attitude towards the people of the northeast."
Echoing him, Nimaichand Luwang, the president of Manipur People's Party (MPP), said the failure of Sharmila's campaign against AFSPA and the abrupt acceptance of Hazare's demand following his brief hunger strike gives a clear message that people living in Manipur have been neglected by the Centre.
"Notwithstanding this, we, in the MPP, fully support Hazare's strong campaign against corruption. We need thousands of Hazares in Manipur where corruption is rampant," said Luwang, a former minister.
The state unit of the BJP, too, expressed dissatisfaction over the Centre's approach on Sharmila. "When Sharmila staged her hunger strike in New Delhi a few years ago, she was arrested and sent to Manipur. But Hazare, who took the same step at the same place, was not arrested. Instead, the Centre complied with his demand," said Laimayum Basanta Sharma, secretary (media cell) of the saffron party's state unit.
IMPHAL: Anti-Afspa crusader Irom Sharmila's elder brother, Irom Singhajit Singh, on Monday alleged that the Centre had discriminated between Anna Hazare and his sister while dealing with the issues they have been fighting for.
Singhajit said although New Delhi conceded to the Gandhian's demand in just four days, "it didn't bother to consider the fast being carried out by Sharmila for the last 10 years, seeking repeal of the military Act which gives unbridled powers to the armed forces even to the extent of shooting a person on mere suspicion".
He added, "My sister has completed 10 years of her struggle against the oppressive military Act and she is still continuing with her crusade. But no one has taken a serious note of the issue. She is fighting in a democratic manner for the people of the country who have been victimized by the Act."
The entire country was shaken when Hazare began his fast in New Delhi and in no time the Centre complied with his demand. Singhajit said, "We, in fact, truly support and laud Hazare's campaign against corruption. But Sharmila's decade-old fast to save innocent people from the atrocities of the armed forces has been totally ignored. We feel bad at such a discriminatory attitude towards the people of the northeast."
Echoing him, Nimaichand Luwang, the president of Manipur People's Party (MPP), said the failure of Sharmila's campaign against AFSPA and the abrupt acceptance of Hazare's demand following his brief hunger strike gives a clear message that people living in Manipur have been neglected by the Centre.
"Notwithstanding this, we, in the MPP, fully support Hazare's strong campaign against corruption. We need thousands of Hazares in Manipur where corruption is rampant," said Luwang, a former minister.
The state unit of the BJP, too, expressed dissatisfaction over the Centre's approach on Sharmila. "When Sharmila staged her hunger strike in New Delhi a few years ago, she was arrested and sent to Manipur. But Hazare, who took the same step at the same place, was not arrested. Instead, the Centre complied with his demand," said Laimayum Basanta Sharma, secretary (media cell) of the saffron party's state unit.