Irom Sharmila condemns Manipur killing; urges repeal of AFSPA

New Delhi: Rights activist Irom Sharmila has condemned the militant ambush that killed 18 armymen in Manipur but said there was "no use" imposing Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in interior areas.

"I strongly condemn yesterday's incident. The incident happened in the area where AFSPA is fully applied. If you remove the army from Manipur, such untoward incidents of killings will automatically cease. There is no use imposing AFSPA in the interior. I think AFSPA targeted not a particular organisation or insurgent but all people of Manipur," Sharmila, who was in Delhi to appear before a local Court in connection with a pending case over her fast-unto-death at Jantar Mantar in 2006, said.

18 armymen were killed and 11 injured when an insurgent group ambushed their patrol in Chandel district of Manipur.

Urging for peace and repealing of AFSPA from the state, she said "the government should change its policies and programmes because violent means will only create violence."

"We will never solve any problem by violence because we are rational beings. With love and kindness, everything can be solved", she added.

Sharmila, also known as the 'Iron Lady of Manipur', has been on a fast for about 14 years, demanding the repeal of the Act.