Irom Sharmila released from custody, resumes fast

Guwahati, January 22: Human rights activist Irom Sharmila Chanua “who has been fasting since 2000 demanding repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958,” was released from a hospital turned into a jail on Thursday. The development came after a court in Manipur’s Imphal East district rejected the charges against her. Soon after the verdict, the activist was released from the hospital ward in Imphal, which was turned into a jail for her all these years. But just after release, Sharmila resumed her fast, her colleagues said. This is the second time that the court in Manipur has struck down the charges against her. Last August, Sharmila was released following an order of the sessions court, which dismissed the prosecution charge against her. IANS