Family convinces Robita to give up fast

GUWAHATI/IMPHAL: Family pressure has apparently stopped Arambam Robita — the secretary of Organisation for Indian Women Against Crime and editor of a monthly journal

GUWAHATI/IMPHAL: Family pressure has apparently stopped Arambam Robita — the secretary of Organisation for Indian Women Against Crime and editor of a monthly journal Women and Crimes — from trudging the path of Manipur’s ‘Iron Lady’ Irom Sharmila who recently ended her 16-year fast.

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Less than 48 hours after Robita began her ‘indefinite’ fast on Saturday afternoon, her family brought her back home to Imphal from Ukhrul town, which is 84 km away, after she had gone missing soon after her symbolic sit-in protest.

Robita, 32, had vowed to step into Sharmila’s shoes after the latter ended her fast in Imphal last Tuesday. However, her husband Konthoujam Hira and various NGOs had dissuaded her from doing so, primarily because she has two minor daughters — Daimond, 10, and eight-year-old Tamphamani.

Robita said she accompanied two of her supporters to Ukhrul “to request everyone in the town to join the anti-Armed Forces Special Powers Act campaign”. Ukhrul is dominated by Nagas, who have differences with the Meitei community inhabiting the Imphal Valley.

One of Rob it a’ s supporters said that her family arrived in Ukhrul on Sunday and took her away to her home in Imphal’s Yairipok.