A local court in Imphal today ordered the release of rights activist Irom Chanu Sharmila, under detention for attempting to commit suicide by fasting for nearly 14 years demanding withdrawal of a tough law that gives sweeping powers to armed forces from Manipur.

Absolving her of the charge of attempt to suicide, sessions judge (Imphal east) A Guneshwar Sharma said, Sharmila be released from custody if not required in any other case.

The court said the prosecution, had failed to establish her intention to commit suicide by fasting unto death and evidence of the alleged offence, which is punishable under IPC, was lacking. Sharmila's agitation was a political demand through a lawful means of repealing of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 in the state.

Sharmila was being kept at the government hospital at Porompathere where a room was converted into a jail. She is being fed through her nose. She is released and re-arrested every year as the law allows detention only for 364 days.

The activist had launched her fast after the killing of 10 people allegedly by Assam Rifles in a suspected encounter withinsurgents at Malom near Imphal airport in November 2000. She has been under arrest since then and has been released from time to time but continued her fast for the past more than one decade.