Irom Sharmila rearrested within days of release

Imphal: Irom Sharmila, who has been on hunger strike to press for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, was rearrested on Wednesday, two days after a court found her not guilty of the charge of attempt to commit suicide.

The fasting venue has since been dismantled and, according to official sources, Sharmila would be charged under Section 309 (attempt to commit suicide) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

On February 29, the District and Sessions Court had released her as she was found not guilty of the charge of attempting to commit suicide.

This was the second time that she was thus released.

However, soon after release, she walked from the security ward of J.N. Institute of Medical Sciences to the public park, where the Shahid Minar is installed, to once again begin her fast.

Women vigilantes joined her at the venue.

Student activists also came to express their solidarity with her. She is facing a similar charge in a case being tried at Patiala House Courts, in New Delhi.

Though Sharmila says that she loves her life and that she is using fasting as a weapon to secure repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 she is charged under section 309 IPC whenever she is arrested.

Sharmila had refused medical check-up on Tuesday.

The doctors were worried of dehydration and her nose feeding tube was removed.

Police said she had to be picked up following increased concern about her health.

She was taken to J.N. Institute of Medical Sciences for immediate medication.

Later, she was shifted to a security ward where she has been staying for the last 15 years.