Criminal intent
On 2 November 2014, Irom Chanu Sharmila's fast in protest against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) entered its 15th year. For much of this time, Sharmila has been held by the state for the crime of 'attempted suicide' under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). On 19 August 2014, she was acquitted of this charge by a local court in Imphal, though just two days later she was re-arrested on the same charges. On 23 January of this year she was once again released, only to be re-arrested the very next day. This cycle of release and re-arrest is as old as her fast.
The government's 10 December announcement that it would repeal Sec. 309 of the IPC and hence de-criminalise 'attempted suicide' was welcomed by both local and international human-rights organisations. For Irom Sharmila, this development could have far-reaching implications. If the IPC is amended, Sharmila can no longer be arrested on these charges.