Charged with Section 309 (attempt to commit suicide) of IPC for fasting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, the 40-year-old has to appear before the court today.

New Delhi: Irom Sharmila, who has been on fast for about 12 years demanding repeal of controversial AFSPA and was flown in here from Manipur to appear in a court case of attempted suicide, yesterday said the voices of protest cannot be ignored for long.

Charged with Section 309 (attempt to commit suicide) of IPC for fasting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, the 40-year-old has to appear before the court today.

"I am not committing suicide. This is my way of protest. I am protesting by non-violent means," she said after being brought to the capital this evening.

She said she was confident that government will listen to her and concede to her demand to revoke Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). "If we keep fighting, the law will be repealed. Our voices will be heard.

"...Why is the government afraid of Army? Why is it appeasing the Army? Why can't it take a decision for the good of the people," she said.

Sharmila had launched her fast unto death in 2000 after 10 civilians were killed by Assam Rifles personnel at Malom area near Imphal airport.

She is now in judicial custody and is being fed through her nose.

PTI