Irom Sharmila resumes hunger strike over AFSPA repeal

Manipuri rights activist Irom Sharmila Chanu, who was acquitted by a court of the charge of attempt to suicide, resumed her 15-year-long indefinite fast at the historic Sahid Minar on Tuesday, demanding repeal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the state.

Sharmila, who was released from judicial custody by the chief judicial magistrate of Imphal West yesterday, came out of the special ward of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital here and headed for Sahid Minar with a large number of supporters.

A team of police personnel led by a lady officer persuaded her not to proceed further at Nupi Lan complex. Sharmila however reached Sahid Minar at around 4 pm.

After reaching the site, she resumed her fast to press her demand.

Sharmila, known as the Iron Lady of Manipur, began her fast in November 2000 after ten people were killed in a shooting at a bus stop near her home in Manipur. Activists blame the army for the killings but no arrests have been made in the case.