Imphal: Irom Sharmila released, continues her fast

A court in Imphal has ordered the release of social activist Irom Sharmila Chanu, who has been on a fast for more than 12 years to demand the repeal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur.

The first class judicial magistrate, Imphal East, on Tuesday ordered the release of Irom Sharmila, who was arrested on charges of attempt to commit suicide.

After the court's order, the police released Sharmila from the J N I Medical Science and Hospital, where she was kept and fed through nose.

After her release on Tuesday afternoon, Sharmila went straight to the office of the Sharmila Kanba Lup (Save Sharmila Office) near JNIMSH and continued with her fast, police sources said on Wednesday.

Talking to media personnel, Sharmila expressed her disappointment over the recent charge of attempt to commit suicide at a recent hearing at a New Delhi's Patiala court.

"I am only protesting to repeal AFSPA and following Mahatma Gandhi's principle. My fight is against the atrocities committed by the army personnel acting under the power of the AFSPA," she said.

"AFSPA has been imposed in the state for controlling militancy but instead of controlling it, the army personnel are harassing the general public," she said.

"The Centre has imposed this Act only to suppress the people of the state," she alleged and said she would continue her hunger strike till the repeal of this Act.

Appealing for support from the people in her movement, Sharmila said that if she died in the course of her struggle, she would not "wish to be born in Manipur again."

Sharmila's brother and her spokesperson Irom Singhajit, who was at her side, said she was arrested on charges of attempt to commit suicide.

"She will be arrested by the police again, like they have always done for the past 12 years," he claimed.