Charges framed against Irom Sharmila

Social activist Irom Sharmila, who has been on fast for about 12 years demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), Monday refused to plead guilty to attempting suicide and a Delhi court framed charges against her.

Metropolitan Magistrate Akash Jain framed charges against the activist from Manipur for attempting to commit suicide and issued show cause notice to Sharmila after she refused to plead guilty.

She told the court that she "loves life and does not want to take my own life".

Sharmila, who was present in the court, denied that she attempted to commit suicide at Jantar Mantar here in 2006.

She said: "I only want justice."

"If I wanted to commit suicide I might have died. My protest was non-violent for my demand, just to live as human being," she added.

She appeared before the court under IPC 309 (attempt to commit suicide) for fasting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

The court posted the matter for May 22 for recording of prosecution's evidence in the case relating to her fast until death which started on Oct 4, 2006 at Jantar Mantar here to demand revocation of AFSPA.

The court hearing the case told Sharmila: "We respect you but the law of land does not permit you to take your life."

Asked if she tried to commit suicide, she replied: "No".

The court earlier told her counsel to explain to her that maximum punishment in the case was a few months to a year and that she has been in custody for more than six years, so if she pleads guilty, the case would be settled Monday.

Sharmila, after discussions with her counsel, told the court: "If AFSPA will be repealed by the government then only I will take food and will throw the food pipe."

To this, the magistrate told her: "This is a political process. Here I am concerned with this case only."

The counsel told the court that Sharmila has been protesting for the last 12 years in the "most non-violent way like Mahatma Gandhi".

She is fasting for the people of Manipur as they are being neglected by the government, said the counsel, requesting the court that she should not be asked to appear in court again and again due to her medical condition.

Meanwhile, her supporters staged a protest outside gate no.2 of Patiala House Court, which was closed by police.

Sharmila supporters raised slogans demanding justice and repeal of AFSPA.