Irom Sharmila acquitted in 2006 'suicide bid' case
Source: The Sangai Express / PTI

New Delhi, March 30 2016: Manipuri rights activist Irom Sharmila was on Wednesday acquitted by a Delhi Court in a 2006 case of attempt to suicide when she was undertaking a fast until death at Jantar Mantar here.

Metropolitan Magistrate Harvinder Singh let off 42-year- old Sharmila, who is on a fast for the last 16 years in Manipur demanding repeal of AFSPA.

She was put on trial on March 4, 2013, for allegedly trying to commit suicide while undertaking fast-unto-death at Jantar Mantar on October 4, 2006 .

She had on Tuesday told the Court that she was ready to end her fast if the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) was repealed and expressed her desire to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the issue.

Irom Sharmila acquitted in 2006 'suicide bid' case

Sharmila, who is fed through a nasal tube, was put on trial after she refused to plead guilty to the charge of attempting to commit suicide (section 309 of IPC).

During final arguments on Tuesday, the prosecutor had contended that Sharmila had the intention to kill herself and the offence of trying to commit suicide was clearly made out against her.

During the hearing, the activist had said she loved her life and was using her fast as a weapon to achieve her goal of repealing AFSPA as it would have "more impact" and added that this was "not a crime" .

"Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Nation, had resorted to fasts while making certain demands," she said yesterday while justifying her fast.

Sharmila also said, "Since there is no meaning of true democracy in the country, human rights activists should join hands.

The matter should be brought to the attention of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations" .

She had earlier told the Court that she was very much eager to eat if she got the assurance that the "draconian" law will be revoked.

Widespread discrimination was being done with the people from North East, she had alleged, adding she never intended to commit suicide and it was just a protest against AFSPA.

Known as the 'Iron Lady', Sharmila had earlier told the Court that her protest was non-violent.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International, India while welcoming the Delhi Court judgment to acquit Irom Chanu Sharmila of charges of attempt to commit suicide said that this is the second time she has been acquitted of the charge of attempting suicide.

On February 29, a Manipur Court acquitted her of an identical charge and ordered her to be released, said AII in a statement.

The activist has never been convicted, said AII and added that as the offence is punishable with imprisonment for up to one year, she has been regularly released after completing a year in judicial custody, only to be re-arrested shortly after as she continues her fast.

She is detained in the security ward of a hospital in Imphal, Manipur, where she is force-fed a diet of liquids through her nose, said AII and added that Courts have now ruled four times in under two years that Irom Sharmila's hunger strike is not an attempt at suicide.

She must be unconditionally released and all charges against her must be immediately dropped, it added.

Meanwhile the North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) organized a solidarity meeting in support of Irom Sharmila and for freedom from Armed Forces Special Powers Act(AFSPA) at Manipur House, where Irom Sharmila has been made to stay.

The solidarity meeting was organized to protest against this Act which has been used to brutally suppress the democratic rights of the people, as well as in support of Irom Sharmila's release, said NEFIS in a statement.

People and students from different communities and regions of the North East gathered outside Manipur House to meet Sharmila, but were denied permission by the police, said NEFIS.

Fully supporting the stand adopted by Sharmila, NEFIS demand immediate revocation of Armed Forces Special Power Act(AFSPA) .