Irom Sharmila in judicial custody for 15 days

Back in security ward of hospital in Imphal

IN SOLIDARITY: Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a sand sculpture of Irom Sharmila on the Puri beach on Saturday.

Human rights activist Irom Sharmila, who was rearrested on Friday morning, was remanded in 15 days’ judicial custody.

She was produced in the court of the judicial magistrate on Saturday in view of her physical condition.

She was brought back to the security ward of J.N. Institute of Medical Sciences, declared a sub-jail. The court of chief judicial magistrate had ordered framing of the charge sheet against her under Section 309 IPC (attempt to commit suicide).

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam Gangmei said that the primary concern of the government was to save Sharmila which is why she was rearrested on Friday.

Gangmei was speaking in a seminar on Saturday in Manipur University on Saturday. He further said that the government is taking steps regarding the Inner Line Permit demand very gingerly. In order to avoid loopholes the government is in constant touch with experts and intellectuals on the issue.

Meanwhile a large number of women activists on Saturday tried to storm the office of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Saturday afternoon. They wanted to talk to him regarding the ILP.

However, police stopped them and suggested that they meet the deputy Chief Minister instead. When eight representatives were taken to the Congress office, Mr. Gangmei was not there. They instead talked with Bidyapati Senham, general secretary. They were assured that the Congress would make its stand on the ILP system demand known within 10 days. Talking to reporters the women activists said that if the ruling party fails to do so Manipur will witness a terrifying agitation.