A team of policewomen drag a struggling and screaming Irom Sharmila
Forty hours after she was released,
Irom Sharmila was re-arrested this morning and put in a hospital. The charge against her is attempted suicide - which a local court has declared non-sustainable.
Officially, she is in 15 days' judicial custody. The Manipur government is likely to appeal against the sessions court order that freed her. Sources said the circumstances of her arrest now are different from the arrest 14 years ago. (
Read: Irom Sharmila, Shouting, Forcibly Removed From Fast Venue by Cops)
This morning, a team of policewomen dragged the frail activist away from the tin shack where she was continuing her protest.
Manipur's Deputy Chief Minister G Gaikhangam said Sharmila was arrested after a medical exam showed her condition was critical. (
Late-night Drama: Irom Sharmila Resists Police Bid to Conduct Medical Check-up)
The force-feeding had stopped since was released from the hospital around 5 PM on Wednesday. For nearly 40 hours, the frail activist had neither food nor water. (
Also read: Finally, Irom Sharmila's Smile Reaches Her Eyes)
"If her health is deteriorating, we have to take care," said Mr Gaikhangam. "Irom is very precious to us, she is exemplary. We need her to live long. We want her to use her powers in a constructive way."
The Imphal court's order had put the state government in a quandary. The court had ruled that Sharmila cannot be charged with attempted suicide for refusing food and water, but it had also ordered the state to take care of Sharmila's health and feed her through a nasal tube if necessary. (
Read: Irom Sharmila Continues Hunger Strike Near Jail Hospital After Release)
Sharmila began her fast in November 2000, days after 10 people, including two children, were shot dead in Imphal, allegedly by Assam Rifles soldiers. Three days later, she was charged with attempt to suicide and arrested.
Last night Sharmila had refused to let doctors examine her. "I have said I will not allow a medical check-up. I don't know why they are disturbing me," Sharmila had said.
The activist says she will fast till the Armed Forces Special Powers Act or AFSPA is removed from Manipur. The law gives soldiers sweeping powers to arrest or interrogate people in "disturbed areas" or states dealing with separatists or insurgents.