Social activist Irom Sharmila who has been on fast unto death since November 4, 2000 demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 will be produced before the Metropolitan Magistrate, Patiala House court, Delhi on Thursday and Friday.
The Judicial Magistrate First class, Imphal East, has granted permission for her appearance in the court in Delhi. She is charged with attempting to commit suicide. Under this charge she can
be detained for one year. When she was ritually released in 2006 she slipped to Delhi catching the police and intelligence agencies napping. She continued her fast at Jantar Mantar. Delhi police arrested her and booked her for trying to commit suicide.
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Ms. Sharmila will be allowed to be accompanied by three medical staff, two policewomen and two prison staff. Manipur state government will take care of the expenses for the visit.
Despite a local court clearing Ms. Sharmila of the charges, police had to arrest her since she continued the fast. Subsequently, a lower court ordered judicial remand.
The government has made it crystal that the AFSPA cannot be repealed now since it would amount to giving carte blanche to the militants who are ruling the roost at many places
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