Court orders release of Irom Sharmila Chanu

New Delhi, May 11 (UNI) A local court today ordered the release of Irom Sharmila Chanu, who has been observing a hunger strike to demand the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) of Manipur, on a bond of Rs 10,000.

Irom Sharmila Chanu began her fast on November 4, 2000. She was arrested by the Delhi Police from Jantar Mantar on October 7, 2006.

She came to the city to continue her peaceful hunger strike on October 4, 2006.

A resident of Manipur, she has been observing a hunger-strike for seven years, demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958.

The Defence Counsel argued before the court that she continued to remain in custody, by the Delhi Police at AIIMS, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospitaland then by the Manipur Police at JN Hospital Imphal, and was never produced before a magistrate, despite being arrested.

She intends to continue her fast till the AFSPA is repealed.

Should it be repealed, her fast will cease tomorrow as per argument, according to the Defence Counsel.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Kamini Lau, after hearing the argument on defence and prosecution, ordered the release of Chanu on the personal bond of Rs 10,000.

The court also ordered to put up the matter for hearing the argument on September 28, as an FIR under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Court had been registered against Chanu in the Parliament Street police station. It defined as intent to commit suicide and carried simple imprisonment of one year or fine or both.

UNI