Sharmila's deteriorating health led to public unrest in Manipur

Imphal, Oct 6 (UNI) People here put up road blockades in support of Irom Sharmila who has been on a fast unto death at the Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, demanding repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 im Manipur.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil would be meeting Sharmila today in the evening, sources said.

The protestors, mostly students staged demonstrations on the roads disrupting the vehiculartraffic.

The students said Sharmila's condition had deteriorated as she had not even taken a glass of water since last few days.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Alert executive director Babloo Loitongbam told UNI over phone from New Delhi that human rights activists and students were monitoring Sharmila's deteriorating health.

He further said Sharmila had also demanded a meeting with Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who is now camping in New Delhi, but Mr Ibobi was yet to give an appointment.

Earlier, Sharmila had been on hunger strike demanding repeal of the AFSPA since November 2000 but was later forced nasal feeding at Jawaharlal Nehru hospital here.

Again she had left for New Delhi on Wednesday to continue her protest at Jantar mantar.

The news of Sharmila's deteriorating health had led to public unrest here.

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