Irom Sharmila to end fast, fight Manipur polls


Imphal, Jul 26 (PTI): Manipur's 'Iron Lady' Irom Chanu Sharmila, who has been on a hunger strike for the past 16 years demanding repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), today announced her decision to end the fast on August 9 and contest state Assembly elections.

"I will end my fast on August 9 and contest elections," the 44-year-old rights activist announced before the media after coming out from a local court here.

She said she no longer believes that her fast will lead to the repeal of the "draconian" AFSPA but she will continue the fight.

"That is why I will join politics and my fight will continue," said Sharmila who has refused to eat or drink anything since November, 2000.

Assembly elections in Manipur are scheduled in 2017.

Sharmila is forcibly fed through a nasal tube in Imphal's Jawahar Lal Nehru Hospital, a special ward of which acts as her prison.

She had been arrested, released and then re-arrested from time to time on the charge of making an attempt to commit suicide. The maximum punishment under Section 309 of IPC is a one-year jail term.

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • Judith L, mumbai

    Wed, Jul 27 2016

    All the best to this Iron lady. May the Almighty be her strength and best guide in her getting justice for the people of manipur. May she succeed in her political career. High time more and more good and worthy people join politics who love nation and are not corrupt or fanatics who fight for religion.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • MICHAEL NORONHA, Mysore

    Wed, Jul 27 2016

    Like the Korean leader who ultimately won Aung Sun Sui Ki, Irom Sharmila too will succeed provided she remains independent and forms her own party.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues., Frazer Town,Bangalore

    Wed, Jul 27 2016

    Good decision and now her joining the politics will really help her to do more good to the nation.All the best.

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • John, Udupi

    Wed, Jul 27 2016

    Now BJPeeees and bakhts will get another one to attack like Kejriwal!!!.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Tue, Jul 26 2016

    Good let's hope she will lead a good life in future.

    DisAgree Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Nashville

    Tue, Jul 26 2016

    Sharmila fasted for 16 years while our International Yoga Guru lasted only for 6 days ...

    DisAgree [6] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohammed Ilyas Byndoor/Dubai.U.A.E, Byndoor/Dubai.U.A.E

    Tue, Jul 26 2016

    She is Iron Lady but Guru is PATANJALI.,

    DisAgree [3] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Navin Shetty, Manipal/ Bahrain

    Tue, Jul 26 2016

    Breaking hunger Strike & joining Politics is a dangerous combination, it can produce a people like Kejriwal.

    DisAgree [17] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Avinash, Mangaluru/Mumbai

    Tue, Jul 26 2016

    Yes we need people like Kejriwal...not the traditional white wearing corrupt people's leaders......!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • JP, Mangalore/Albany

    Tue, Jul 26 2016

    People like Kejriwal are 100 percent better than power hungry politicians !

    DisAgree [2] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Peter, KSA

    Wed, Jul 27 2016

    It is only Kejriwal, the lion of Delhi can deliver us from the clutches of power hungry, illiterate, duplicate graduate, evil politicians. Jai ho Kejriwal, the hope of India.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • stan, udupi/dubai

    Tue, Jul 26 2016

    Wasted valuable time in life to fight useless politicians.Hope her state people support her political struggle rather than selling their valuable votes to petty gains.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • PEDDU, MANGALURU

    Tue, Jul 26 2016

    SHE REALIZED NOW !!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • S.M. Nawaz Kukkikatte, Dubai

    Tue, Jul 26 2016

    Good decision and let see how state people's going to support on her decision meanwhile in her 16 years of battle she didn't get any proper justice. "changes" only the alternate way to find the justice. Let's hope..

    DisAgree [1] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • stan, udupi/dubai

    Tue, Jul 26 2016

    She should have taken such a decision earlier. Her fast has not gained anything for the state whereas if she had contested earlier would have been able to do something for the state.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: Irom Sharmila to end fast, fight Manipur polls



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.