Irom Sharmila re-arrested after resuming hunger strike over Afspa repeal

Irom Sharmila Chanu, who has been on a hunger strike since November 2000, demanding repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act was on Wednesday arrested yet again after she had resumed her fast on February 29.

The police, however, is yet to press any charge against her and is reportedly seeking a relevant law to justify the arrest, according to a government official.

The fresh arrest of Sharmila came after she was acquitted of suicide charges by a court in Imphal on February 29 and on that very day she resumed her non-violent protest at BT Park in Imphal.

Sharmila had refused to have a medical check-up by a team of doctors.

The Human rights activist has been demanding repeal of the Afspa, 1958 after 10 civilians were gunned down allegedly by central security forces at an Imphal locality in November, 2000.