Manipur Court orders release of Irom Sharmila; says there is lack of evidence in attempted suicide charge

The Manipur Court today ordered the release of Manipur activist Irom Sharmila saying there is lack of evidence against her for charges of attempted suicide. Sharmila is currently under house arrest.

The peaceful warrior has been on a hunger strike since November 3, 2000 against the Malom massacre in which the paramilitary force Assam Rifles killed ten civilians at a bus stand after the incident of a bomb blast.

Sharmila's fast is to protest against the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which was drafted by the government of India and passed in 1958 when the Naga movement for independence took off. The law has just six sections, and absolves the army from any accountability if they use force when people break laws even if it causes death.

Irom Sharmila has been protesting against the AFSPA in Manipur and will not stop her fast unless the Act is repealed.

Read Also: Manipur Court orders release of Irom Sharmila: Story of a never-ending fast against a draconian law