Irom Sharmila speaks to NDTV in Delhi
Irom Sharmila, human rights activist from Manipur has blamed the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) for the gruesome attack on Indian Army soldiers on Thursday morning. The Act gives the army sweeping emergency powers in troubled areas.
"Yesterday's incident happened where AFSPA is fully applied so there is no use of AFSPA. The Government should change their policies and programs because violence creates only violence," Ms Sharmila told NDTV. She was in Delhi in connection with a pending case from 2006 in a local court.
18 armymen were killed and 11 injured when an insurgent group ambushed their patrol in Chandel district of Manipur on May 4. This attack has led to the Army suffering their worst casualties in over a decade.
"I know that violence will never solve any problems. Will never solve any problems with violence, because we are rational beings, human mind is malleable, with love and kindness everything can be solved," as Ms Sharmila demanded repeal of AFSPA from the state.
Also known as "Iron Lady of Manipur", Ms Sharmila, has been on a fast for about 14 years demanding that the central government repeal AFSPA from the state.