Irom Sharmila decides to end her 16-year long fast, fight elections

July 26, 2016

Imphal, Jul 26: Human Rights activist Irom Chanu Sharmila on Tuesday announced she would end her fast-unto-death protest on August 9 against the controversial Armed Forces Specials Powers Act (Afspa), after more than 16 years.

sharmila1

Speaking to media outside the Imphal court, the 43-year-old said would instead contest elections.

“I will break my fast as the government has failed to give any positive response... I will fight elections to resolve the issues,” she told a news agency.

Known as the Iron Lady of Manipur', Sharmila spent years being force-fed by the government through her nose as she called for the repealment of the act. She had been arrested under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code on charges of attempt to commit suicide and held at a prison hospital.

Sharmila began her non-violent protest in November 2000 after 10 people were killed by troops of the Assam Rifles near a bus stop at Malom, in the outskirt of Imphal.

The Afspa 1958 covers large parts of northeastern India and Kashmir, and gives security forces sweeping powers to search and shoot on sight. Seen by critics as a cover for human rights abuses, Sharmila was one of the strongest voices opposing the act.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court strongly rebuked the army, saying it cannot use “excessive or retaliatory force” even in troubled areas. With regards to Manipur, it said the situation was never a “war-like” threat to national security that warranted the act.

The apex court further directed a thorough probe into alleged fake encounter killings there.

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ahmed
 - 
Tuesday, 26 Jul 2016

Join S.D.P.I and contest in the upcoming election surely you will win.

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July 20,2020

Mysuru, Jul 20: Police and the Bengaluru City Quarantine Squad apprehended quarantine breacher “Drone Boy” Prathap N M in Mysuru on Monday afternoon.

Police sources said that the 23-year-old youth agreed to surrender following negotiations with officers. 

“He agreed to turn himself in after realizing that he had no other alternative,” said an officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

A team of officers from the Quarantine Squad under Dr Prayag H S and police from the Talaghattapura Police Station under Inspector Ramappa Guttedar said they apprehended Prathap who was staying at a hotel in the Mandi Mohalla area at around 3 pm.

Prathap’s father accompanied the team to convince his son to surrender. Police said Prathap will be returned to the city to be placed into 14 days of institutional quarantine. 

With two cell phones at his disposal Prathap, who is accused of twice breaching home quarantine regulations, fled the city on Saturday. 

Police, who were initially aware of only one cell phone, lost track of the youth as he drove out of the city, turning his phone off near Kengeri.

However, after quizzing the fugitive’s family, police learned that Prathap had a second phone and sim card. “His whereabouts were established on Sunday evening by tracking this second phone,” an official source said.

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News Network
May 20,2020

Mangaluru, May 20: Karnataka Government has banned fishing through mechanised and traditional boats using inboard or outboard engines of over 10 HP capacity using nets or other means, officials sources said on Wednesday.

As per the notification issued under the Karnataka Marine Fishing (Regulation) Act 1986, all fishing activities were banned from June One to July 31.

However, the ban is not applicable for fishing through traditional and country boats which use engines of less than 10 HP capacity, according to a release issued here on Wednesday.

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News Network
July 24,2020

Bengaluru, Jul 24: To condemn violence on healthcare workers and to voice issues concerning medical fraternity, Karnataka Association Of Resident Doctors (KARD) has called for a nationwide symbolic protest from July 24.

"In order to condemn violence on healthcare workers and to voice all our issues, we have called nationwide symbolic protest from July 24. We will protest symbolically by wearing black bands, across the state and have sought support from residents pan-India," KARD said in a statement.

"We, the resident doctors of Karnataka have been undergoing various difficulties while executing our duties during the COVID-19 pandemic," it added.

"Arrest and legal action against culprits involved in K.C General hospital incident. Arrest and legal action against culprits involved in Belgaum incident. Condemnation of atrocities on doctors in Bidar and action against the official. Ensuring safety protocols at all hospitals and COVID care centres with adequate security and police personnel," KARD demanded.

"No hierarchy in a pandemic"- common work pattern for all doctors irrespective of hierarchy/cadre. Immediate release of funds for a stipend for an already sanctioned hike. COVID duty and night duty allowances. Ensuring an adequate supply of N-95 masks, face shields, surgical gowns in all non-COVID working areas. An adequate supply of good quality PPEs for all COVID working areas," KARD demanded.

Earlier, the nurses of Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Hubli called off the protest after receiving assurance from Nitish Patil, the Dharwad district Deputy Commissioner (DC).

The protest was staged on Wednesday afternoon in front of KIMS by nurses who alleged that the administration had not provided adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits, masks and sanitary facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic situation. 

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