Manipur’s ‘Iron Lady’ Irom Chanu Sharmila, who has been on fast for about 16 years demanding repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the state, was today released by a court here after signing Personal Recognition (PR) Bond.

The 44-year-old iconic rights activist is, however, yet to walk out of her jail ward at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences here pending the release order. Court officials told PTI that the court will issue the order to the jail authority to formalise her release today itself.

Sharmila had appeared before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate of Imphal West, Lamkhanpau Tonsing this morning at about 11 am and was granted bail on personal bond of Rs 10,000.

She requested the CJM to release her on PR Bond promising to break her 16-year-old fast against AFSPA but the judge told her that pleading guilty was the only option to release her but she did not agree to it.

Ultimately the CJM allowed her to sign the PR Bond.

After coming out from the courtroom Sharmila came to address the media in another room but due to the heavy rush there and chaotic situation, the activist was whisked away by police to her jail ward in hospital.

Sharmila had a fortnight ago announced that she will break her fast today, join politics and get married. “I have been fasting for the past 16 years, I am ending my fast today. I want to try a different agitation now,” Sharmila told the media outside the courtroom today.

“I will contest against the chief minister of Manipur in the upcoming state elections,” she said, adding that she will get AFSPA repealed once she wins the elections.

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