Irom Sharmila who has been on fast unto death since November 4, 2000 demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) At,1958 is distraught and disappointed that people are not extending support to her cause.
Interacting with reporters when she was produced in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal east Court on Friday, she said though she was overwhelmed by the huge crowd who had welcomed her in the women's markets in Imphal on August 21, it appeared that women had assembled to watch her out of mere curiosity.
It may be recalled that she was set free on August 20, 2014 at orders of the District and Sessions court following the failure of the prosecution to prove charges of suicide attempt by the social activist.
The activist wants to live a normal life but merely was using fasting as a tool for her campaign.
On Friday she was informed that if she furnished a surety bond for Rs 10,000 she would be released. However she refused to go out on bail. Accordingly she was remanded to judicial custody till September 19. Although the District and Session court said that the prosecution had failed to establish the suicide charge this time also she is charged under section 309 IPC (attempt to commit suicide). Thousands of women activists who had converged to see her on August 21 in the markets were conspicuous by their absence from the court premises on Friday.
