Mail News Service
Imphal, Mar 13: Irom Sharmila who has been on fast since 2000 was arrested by Manipur police. She was released yesterday and was continuing her fast at Porompat, Imphal East.
Chief Minister, O Ibobi singh said, Sharmila is like a sister and daughter to her and he was concerned about her security . Even when the Congress President, Prime Minister were against repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 he went ahead and withdrew the AFSPA from seven Assembly segments in 2004. After the decision was taken he went personally to inform Sharmila about the matter.
Sharmila however informed Ibobi that she would continue the fast until AFSPA is withdrawn from the entire state.
Irom Sharmila Chanu who will turn 40 tomorrow began a fast unto death on 3 November 2000, demanding repeal of AFSPA. The immediate cause was killing of ten civilians in cold blood by personnel of 8 Assam Rifles at Malom, popularly known as Malom massacre.
She was arrested by the police and charged with an “attempt to commit suicide”, under section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, and was later transferred to judicial custody.
She is released and re-arrested every year since under IPC section 309, a person can be jailed for only one year. She has been kept alive by force nasal feeding .
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/irom-sharmila-re-arrested/
