Monthly Archives: March 2013

A 24-year-old youth was killed when CRPF personnel returning from the hospital after donating blood for their wounded colleagues in Wednesday morning’s fidayeen attack fired at a crowd of protesters in Saidpora area here, said the police.
Altaf Hussain died on spot as a crowd of protesters demanding the return of Afzal Guru’s body ran into the CRPF vehicle, the police said. When angry people began pelting stones, the CRPF personnel fired at the crowd which resulted in the death of Altaf Hussain, son of Abdul Ahad Wani of Saidpora. Doctors at SKIMS said the boy was brought dead with a bullet wound in the chest.
The youth’s death led to a fresh wave of protest with thousands of people from the old city taking to the streets with Altaf’s body. The anger of protesters led the National Conference to condemn the killing, with a senior party leader describing Altaf’s death as “murder without provocation” and demanded an inquiry.

Irom Sharmila has not eaten a meal in 12 years. The 40-year-old has been on a hunger strike – and force fed through a tube by authorities – to protest against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
She was charged by a Delhi court today with attempted suicide. Appearing in court with her nose tube in place, she pleaded not guilty.
“I love life. I do not want to take my life, but I want justice and peace,” she said in court, which she attended after flying in from Manipur over the weekend.

Dubbed the “Iron Lady” by her supporters, Sharmila has become a rallying point for those demanding the repeal of AFSPA.  It gives troops in conflict areas the right to shoot to kill suspected rebels without fear of possible prosecution and to arrest suspected militants without a warrant. Women’s rights activists have said the law allows troops to rape women without fear of arrest or punishment.