The National Commission for Women (NCW) is yet to act over a petition seeking to ensure the basic human rights of activist Irom Sharmila.
It was in August, 2011, that Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy approached the women’s rights’ panel alleging inaction by both the Central and State governments over the cause of Sharmila.
In his petition to the NCW, he stated that Sharmila was on a hunger strike for the last 11 years and is fighting her battle from a hospital bed in Manipur.
Her demand is withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Power Act, Tripathy added. The state has been witnessing many human rights violations by the Armed Forces.
The situation has been horrendous after the rape and murder of one Manorama Devi by the Armed Forces, he stated.
The petitioner also brought to the notice of the NCW that in June 2007, the Second Administrative Reforms Commission, appointed by the President of India and headed by Veerappa Moily, had recommended repeal of the Armed Forces Special Power Act.
He said that Sharmila has been put under illegal detention and was being force fed.
This case was one of the rarest cases where human rights of a lady have been snatched away by the government, Tripathy alleged.
He requested the National Commission for Women to investigate this episode of human rights violation and recommend to the Government of India to withdraw Armed Forces Special Power Act as per the recommendations of various committees.