March 10, 2026 06:14 am (IST)
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Irom Sharmila re-arrrested, sent to custody for 15 days
Imphal, Aug 22 (IBNS): Manipuri human rights activist Irom Sharmila, who walked free on Wednesday after a court order, was re-arrested for alleged "attempt to suicide" and sent to 15-day judicial custody.
Sharmila was dragged out of her protest site by a team of lady police personnel for a medical check-up on Friday.
Amid high drama, despite attempts of resistance by the frail activist, the policewomen forcibly took away Sharmila putting her in the back of a police jeep.
Immediately after her freedom, Sharmila continued with her fast staging a protest not far from the jail hospital which she left on Wednesday after her release.
Demanding removal of restrictions imposed on her, Sharmila had said: “I will not take any force feed this time. I will not allow any medical set up. I don't feel hungry. What I feel is an emptiness…I need people's mass support.”
She said that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) imposed in Manipur is a “draconian law” which must be withdrawn.
A tricky situation emerged after her release since the court had said fasting was not attempting to suicide, she was being forced fed by authorities, but at the same time said her well being should be looked after by the government even as Sharmila went on to fast again.
A Manipur court earlier said that Sharmila, who since 2000 has been on an indefinite hunger strike demanding revocation of the AFSPA and being force fed with a pipe by the authorities, should be released. The court on Tuesday last nullified the charges by police of attempted suicide by the activist.
The 42-year-old activist known as the ‘Iron Lady of Manipur’ earlier had wanted to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to repeal the Act that had been called “draconian” by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh though a reform has long been dilly-dallied.
Sharmila, who was being fed through her nose at JNIMS Hospital in Imphal, launched her fast unto death in 2000 after 10 civilians were killed by Assam Rifles personnel at Malom area near Imphal airport.
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