Khuman Leima at the press conference in Imphal. Telegraph picture

Imphal, April 30: Irom Sharmila launched a fast-unto-death in 2000. Khuman Leima, 80, today announced silence-unto-death. In their different ways, the women are pursuing the same mission — repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Manipur.

Leima, who hails from the city and is president of International Manipur Mother’s Association, a group working for human rights, announced her “silent” protest at the Manipur Press Club here this afternoon through a statement read out by the association’s publicity secretary, Pratima Devi.

“I began my silent protest after seeking the blessings of god. If the act is repealed, I will end my silent protest. If the act is not repealed during my lifetime, I will die keeping mum,” her statement read.

At the news meet, Leima sat silently, her mouth sealed with a black ribbon.

She carried a blue ballpoint pen and pieces of paper inside her canvass handbag, using them to reply to reporters’ questions and communicate with members of her organisation and others.

Another statement distributed by Leima said though she announced her silent campaign today, she had stopped speaking on March 25 this year.

She stated that she began her silent campaign after suffering a shock at not being allowed to hold a peaceful protest by Delhi police at Raj Ghat on March 18. “After submitting memoranda to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union home minister P. Chidambaram demanding repeal of the act, she came back to Manipur, started keeping silent and launched her campaign on March 25,” the statement said.

Leima started her silent sit-in at Brahmapur Sangai Chuthek in Imphal East on March 25 and shifted it to Khurai in the district after four days. She is now holding a sit-in at Bamob Kampu and will campaign in front of Thangjam Manorama’s house in that Imphal East locality in the next few days.

The custodial killing of Thangjam Manorama by troops of the Assam Rifles after her alleged rape in July 2004 had triggered a violent agitation, forcing the Manmohan Singh government to constitute the Jeevan Reddy Commission to review the controversial army act.

Pratima Devi said Leima planned to campaign in various parts of Manipur as well as in other states of the Northeast.