Many came to show solidarity but return back disappointedly after she was re-arrested before they could reach BT Park
“She bags the titular king to appeal the people to support her, she desperately needed people around her, but before people could reached at her protest site she was re-arrested, even myself along with my team has to return back disappointingly”, said Convernor of Social Warriors Manipur, Kaminikumar Keisham while talking to this reporter after they found Irom Chanu Sharmila once more re-arrested.
Irom Sharmila Chanu, who was acquitted by a court on the charge of attempt to suicide, has been arrested after she resumed her 15-year-long indefinite fast at the historic Bir Tikendrajit Park, demanding repeal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act ( AFSPA) in the state.
Police are yet to frame a charge against her and are looking for some relevant act to justify the arrest, however news agency ANI report that she may be charged with the attempt to suicide.
AMNESTY international had already stated that Sarmila’s protest is political and should be treated as political prisoner if she is to be arrested.
Sharmila, 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 Bir Tikendrajit Park where she continued her protest with few supporters at around 4 pm.
The protest which was uploaded at Social networking site drew the attention of many and at around 9.30 am today morning this reporter was contacted by many as 30 persons enquiring about the health of Sharmila.
Like Kaminikumar keisham, many volunteers were also reported to be on their way to BT Park.
“How could she be arrested when her protest has not yet completed even 24 hours? “, asked Sundarlal, a youth who reached the BT park after her arrest. She was rearrested at around noon.
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 at Malom in Imphal West district Manipur. Activists blame the army for the killings.
