IMPHAL, December 4: Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West in its ruling passed today has asked the concerned authority to allow Irom Sharmila who has been fasting for the last 15 years demanding repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 from the State, to sunshine exposure for a period of 30 minutes a day while she stays in the prison cell.
This was informed by advocate Ch Momon of Manipur State Legal Services Authority, who represented as the counsel of the AFSPA crusader for the case registered by City Police Station against Sharmila under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 309.
He said that a written statement was submitted to the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal West on December 2 last, pleading to allow Sharmila to sunshine exposure at least 20-30 minutes a day while she stays in the prison cell as per doctor advice.
Doctor advised that Sharmila should be allowed sunshine exposure for a certain period a day in the morning as her health had been deteriorated due to prolonged confinement in the prison cell, the advocate said.
Acting on the prayer, the court in its ruling passed today asked the concerned authority to let Sharmila expose to sunshine at least 30 minutes a day before 11 am by taking her out of the prison cell.
The court direction was passed to Superintendent of Manipur Central Jail and concerned authority.
It may be mentioned that Irom Sharmila who is an Under Trial Prisoner (UTP) under IPC Section 309 is being kept at the Security Ward of JNIMS.