Irom Sharmila, who has been on a fast unto death since November 2000 demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, is continuing her fast, to the chagrin of the government, even after her release on Thursday. Detained on the charge of attempting suicide, she can be legally held only for one year at a stretch and has, since 2000, been ritually released on the completion of each...

Many Indian laws do not reflect modern and enlightened concepts of justice and require major revision. The recent campaign in support of Dr. Binayak Sen has received much publicity. The mainstream media has enunciated his cause and dissected the evidence, conviction and judgment. Amnesty International argued that the case violated international standards for a fair trial. While Dr. Sen's conviction has received much attention, there is a need to foreground the...

The Manipur Cabinet has decided to recommend to the Union government extension of the Disturbed Areas Act and the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in the State for a year with effect from December 1. N. Biren, government spokesperson and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, announced this on Friday night. He said the decision was taken in view of the alarming law and order situation. Many sections have been demanding...

Civil rights activist Irom Sharmila Chanu on Tuesday completed ten years of her fast-unto-death demanding withdrawal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958, from Manipur. A spokesperson of Sharmila Kanba Lup (Save Sharmila Committee) said several social organisations were on Tuesday organising sit-in protests in different parts of the state to show solidarity with Sharmila who began her fast after ten civilians were killed in an alleged...

Human rights activist Irom Sharmila, jailed since 2000 for resorting to a hunger strike against alleged rights violations by the security forces in Manipur, was once again arrested by police on charges of attempted suicide. The activist continued her refusal to eat a single morsel of food. Sharmila, who earned the sobriquet Iron Lady of Manipur and is now in her 10th year of judicial custody, was arrested Wednesday night and...