The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Mar 7: With the completion of one year jail term, Irom Sharmila who is on fast unto death since November 2000 seeking repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 from Manipur was released Friday.
Sharmila completed her jail term today. The court of the additional chief judicial magistrate, Imphal where she was produced released her stating that there was no ground for further detention of the accused.
After the court passed the order, Sharmila was brought back to the makeshift jail specially arranged for her detention and nasal feeding at JN hospital.
While formalities for her release were awaited, members of several social organizations, human rights bodies and most importantly a delegation of students from Tezpur University, Assam had an audience with her at the hospital.
The students of Tezpur University also handed over a encouragement memento to her.
After she was released at around 5.30 pm, she proceeded to the meira shang at Kongpal Irom Leikai only to continue her stir. Women of the locality also came to receive her from the hospital.
Talking to journalists at the meira shang Sharmila said she would continue her stir against the draconian law even though the authorities were arresting her time and again.
“I will continue with my stir without retreat till I get victory,” she said.
She also sought support from the people of the state stating that, “We should not feel scared of any obstacle coming up, may be by police commandos.”
“I am struggling even though everybody left me alone. When the situation is so alarming why are the people remaining silent,” she complained.
When asked, she replied, “Yes I would like to meet my beloved mother, but my motherland is more important. I have promised my mother that I would not be back home till I get victory in my struggle seeking repeal of AFSPA from Manipur.”
Earlier before her release, Sharmila was produced before the court of the additional chief judicial magistrate, Imphal RK Memcha in connection with FIR case no. 44(3)2007 of the Porompat police station.
In the case G Narayani, APP stood on the prosecution side while Bidyapati of Legal Aid Counsel on accused’s side. Meanwhile, another application praying for Sharmila’s release was also received by the judge.
After hearing the statements of both prosecution and prayer for release, the court passed its ruling releasing Sharmila.
The order of the court says the accused had been in judicial custody since 07/03/07 as she failed to furnish necessary bail bonds inspite of being granted bail.
The alleged offence under which she had been in custody was section 309 of IPC punishable with a simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or both.
So far, no charge-sheet has been submitted against Sharmila. She has been already in custody for one year which is a maximum period of imprisonment provided for the offence under which she was arrested in view of the section 436 Cr.PC
There is no ground for further detention of the accused in the case, the order said after which she was accordingly released.
Mention may be made that Sharmila who shifted her fasting to Jantar Mantar in New Delhi last year was released by the authorities at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi on March 3, 2007 on the ground that her condition had improved and she was fit to leave hospital.
She was immediately arrested upon her return to Imphal and force fed at the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital, Imphal.
Irom Sharmila, who has been on fast for over seven years demanding the complete removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 from Manipur, reached Imphal on the morning of March 4 last year along with her brother Singhajit and a helper. After reaching Tulihal Airport, she proceeded directly to the Nupilal Complex and resumed her protest.
