Imphal, September 27: Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) has served a legal notice to the State Government intimating it to comply with the ruling of the Gauhati High Court, Principal Seat to release hunger striker Irom Sharmila Chanu from judicial custody.

The legal notice enclosed with a photocopy of the High Court�s order was served by Advocate M Rakesh of Human Right Law Network, Manipur Unit to the office of Chief Secretary today.

The notice requested the Chief Secretary to comply with the High Court�s ruling at the earliest �to avoid legal hurdles and complexities�.

Acting on the writ petition filed by the Network, a Division Bench of the High Court on September 21 had ordered the State Government to release Irom Sharmila unless she is required to be detailed for other cases.

The State is at liberty to take care of her health and other nutritional requirements, the Court headed by acting Chief Justice B Biswas and Ranjan Gogoi had maintained in its verdict.

However, so far there has been no concrete decision from the Government side either to comply with the said order or to challenge it by way of filing a writ appeal or Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the authorities of Central Jail (Sajiwa) have reportedly communicated the operative part of the order of the Principal Seat to the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Imphal today.

Mention may be made here that officials in the Home Department have discussed informally the verdict of the High Court.

32-year old Sharmila of Kongpal Kongkham Leikai has been fasting since November 2, 2000 after the personnel of Assam Rifles massacred 10 civilians at Malom on November 2, 2000 demanding revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 from Manipur.

Sharmila was released by the CJM on two instances on the ground that the term she served in the judicial custody was equated with the period she ought to serve in jail under section 309 IPC, which relates to attempt to commit suicide.

Sharmila however, resumed her agitation on the very day of releasing.

She was hence, re-arrested and subsequently kept in judicial custody.

On September 24, CJM further remanded her to judicial custody till October 8.

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