Freedom for Irom Sharmila cut short
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 22 2014 : After two days of freedom, anti-AFSPA crusader Irom Chanu Sharmila, who was released from judicial custody on August 20 following a court order that dismissed the charge of attempted suicide slapped on her under Section 309 of IPC for her nearly 14 years long fast to demand repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act that gives sweeping power to personnel of Armed Forces, has been re-arrested by police.

A team of Imphal East Police led by its Superintendent of Police Kamei Angam Romanus re-arrested Sharmila at around 10.30 am today from the office of Sharmila Kanba Lup (SAKAL) at Ayangpalli Road where she was resuming her fasting protest against the draconian Act after being set free.

Freedom for Irom Sharmila cut short

When the police team arrived at the protest venue, Sharmila and other activists who are taking part in the protest resisted the arrest, thereby leading to scuffle.

However, the police had their way and forcibly picked her up and took her away in a police van to the nearby Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) for a medical check-up.

Sharmila is expected to be kept under observation at the hospital.

However, as police cannot hold her for more than 24 hours without taking her to court, it is expected that the police will try to bring back charges of attempted suicide against her again.

It may be noted here that soon after her release; Sharmila refused medical examination, and said that she wouldn't allow anybody to force-feed her.

But the court order on her release had said that the Government of Manipur will be responsible for her health and must feed her through a nasal tube if necessary.

Condemning the re-arrest during a press meet, S Momon Leima, one of the leaders of SAKAL leader said Sharmila was violently accosted by the police, and as a result she sustained injuries.

Momon Leima demanded strict action against the police personnel involved and added, "They (police) treated her like enemy" .

Sharmila was put inside a police Gypsy vehicle in such a violent manner that even her modesty was outraged by not taking care of her loincloth, Momon Leima claimed.

Meanwhile, SAKAL has submitted memorandums to Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam demanding strict action against the police personnel who have rearrested and detained Sharmila against her will and in violation of the court order for her release.