Let Militants Clear Their Doubts With My Blood: Irom Sharmila

Sharmila, will break her 16 year long fast today.

She began her fast days after 10 civilians were killed by paramilitary soldiers in Manipur, which has always been plagued by uprisings by ethnic separatist militants and violent government crackdowns.

From early morning, reporters from local, national and worldwide media have been hanging around the J.N. Institute of Medical Sciences here where Sharmila has been staying for the last 16 years. She was charged with attempting suicide, a crime in India.

The lawyer disclosed that Sharmila had been taken to the Imphal hospital where she has been kept for several years and force fed through a nasal tube.

Irom Sharmila, dubbed the “Iron Lady of Manipur” for her protest against alleged rights abuses by security forces in the north-east Indian state, wept as she removed the tubes that were used to force-feed her from her nose and consumed a vial of honey.

But she has finally relented, saying that she’ll focus on running for political office to effect change.

The Hindustan Times reported that the court has agreed to release her upon the submission of a bond and the judge wished her luck.

Amnesty International India also called for 35-year-old AFSPA rule to be repealed from the state, and added that the draconian law had isolated Manipur for over three decades, providing a leeway for human rights violations.

NEWS BRIEF Irom Chanu Sharmila last ate a meal 16 years ago.

She was released on bail on Tuesday by L. Tonsing, chief judicial magistrate, Imphal west, where she was produced.

For a section of her supporters and family, the end of the long fast is a surprise and a disconcerting one.

Sharmila started the hunger strike in November 2000 after the Malom massacre in a small village on the outskirts of Imphal, in which 10 people were reportedly killed by a government-controlled paramilitary force, the Assam Rifles.

Sharmila will soon contact the Election Commission in order to fight the Assembly election, due early next year, as an independent candidate. As she had expressed her desire to end the fast, the assistant public prosecutor (APP) prayed the court to close the hearing.

Court proceedings had began at 11:15 am, and at 11: 45 am, court officials reportedly said that the proceedings will go on for another hour.

Her mother Sakhi has refused to meet her.