Barely three days after her release, Manipur’s human rights activist Irom Sharmila Chanu was re-arrested by the police on Friday from the makeshift shelter in Manipur capital Imphal, where she had resumed her fast soon after her release on Wednesday demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers’ Act from the State.
Sharmila, who had been fasting for close to last 14 years now, was only released from police custody on Wednesday following direction from the Imphal East district Sessions Court on Tuesday. The police on Wednesday said that Sharmila was re-arrested under Section 309 (attempt to commit suicide).
“The re-arrest was made to avoid further deterioration of her health”, said Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam while speaking to the media on Wednesday. The police came to the makeshift shelter around 10.30 am on Wednesday, said the supporters of Sharmila while adding that there was scuffle between the supporters of the activist and police when the latter came to take her forcefully.
The supporters said that Sharmila sports long toe nails and one of those purportedly broke off during the scuffle, causing injuries to her. “We condemn the police action. This is unfortunate that she has been re-arrested on a charge which she has been absolved of by the court only three days ago,” Sharmila’s brother Singhjit said.
“We are going to consult the lawyer and plea before the court to secure her release again,” he said. She has been re-arrested under Section 309 to avoid deterioration of her health. Further legal proceedings are on,” said Manipur Additional Director General of Police Santosh Macherla. Police said that Sharmila was shifted to the special ward of the Jawaharlal Nehru of Medical Sciences in Imphal for medical aid.
The 42-year-old activist, on an indefinite hunger strike since 2000, has spent long years in this hospital, which was converted into a jail for her. “We condemn the violent act of the police on a non-violent activist. The arrest is in violation of the law,” said Babloo loitangbam, secretary of the Manipur-based human rights body, Human Rights Alert.