Health checks or abandoned: Irom Sharmila remains in hospital

Irom Sharmila had started her fast on November 4, 2009, demanding the repealing of the draconian law of Armed Forces Special Powers Acts (AFSPA).

She broke her fast on August 9, this year. Sharmila said she wanted to get married to her long-time boyfriend and contest elections, hoping to repeal AFSPA as the chief minister of Manipur.

But her decision was not well received by her supporters and family, and they have refused to take her back.

So, with no place to go, she had to return to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital, where she was forcibly nose-fed by the government for 16 years.

Meanwhile, the Manipur Branch of Indian Red Cross Society has offered her accommodation for "as long as she wants."

Meanwhile, the hospital authorities have given her permission to stay there for a month.

The doctors said that she is under observation and has started consuming solid foods. She needs to be under observation as her oesophagus has been non-operational for years.

The doctors also said that the 44-year-old Sharmila has begun consuming solid food like oats, boiled rice, milkshakes and juices.

Gastroenteritis and gynaecology specialists are currently attending her.

Mother’s visit after 16 years

Meanwhile, Sharmila’s mother visited her at the hospital after 16 years.

Though details of what they spoke are not public, sources said that her family clarified that they had not disowned Sharmila following her decision to quit fasting.

In another meeting, women activists of the Sharmila Kanba Lup met Sharmila. They are of the opinion that Sharmila might not be up to date with the 'current situation' as Manipur had substantially changed during her years of isolation.

One of the members, Loitangbam, had said that Sharmila needs to start with meeting people and understand present day Manipur. 

Sharmila appears before court

Sharmila appeared before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West, Lamkhanpau Tonsing on Tuesday.

The court had on August nine released her on bail on a personal bond of Rs 10,000 after she gave the assurance that she would end her fast.

Sharmila has been asked to appear before the same court on September 5, a court source said.