Sharmila in headlines again

FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

IMPHAL February 25: Once again Irom Sharmila has been back at the headlines. This time she has politely but firmly refused to accept an award. However, she told to the magement of the trust that she will accept the award when she would achieve her goal, that is the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special ) Powers Act, 1958.

She had been traumatised by the mowing downs of innocent people by the security personnel long after the insurgents has escaped. The incident of massacring ten persons including an elderly woman, was the last straw to her. She went on the fast after the incident unto death from November 4, 2000.

She has received several awards from the state and abroad for her unique and courageous campaign. She had distributed the cash to various NGOs. The last amount went to the cycle rickshaw pullers.

She recently said that she was not on fast to garner such awards so would not accept any more. However, a Cochin based NGO 'Sthree Shakti' approached her for an award of Rs 25,000 in cash and a citation. The  maging trustee of the NGO, M.L. George received a letter from Sharmila that while appreciating the offer Sharmila could not accept the award now. This is for the first time, that a woman for her extraordiry contribution to the society thus selected for the award.