Sharmila, known as the “Iron Lady of Manipur”, hadn’t eaten any food voluntarily since November 5, 2000, when she began protesting India’s Armed Forces Special Powers Act that suspends many human rights protections in areas of conflict.
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“I think most of the people in Manipur want self-determination”, she said.
She has been protesting against the Armed Force Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which gives soldiers power to arrest without warrants and even shoot to kill in certain situations.
She has not responded yet.
Responding to questions from media, both worldwide and national, Sharmila, who is popularly known as Iron Lady of Manipur, said that she wants to become the Chief Minister of the state by contesting in elections to bring a positive change and remove the AFSPA.
The Armed Forces Special Powers Act is in effect in Indian-ruled Kashmir and northeastern areas wracked by separatist insurgencies.
“I also want to invite about 20 other Independent candidates to topple Chief Minister Ibobi Singh”, she said, adding that she will contest the Assembly polls in 2018. “It is her strong will power and daily habit of practising yoga which kept her physically fit”, said Sharmila’s brother Irom Singhajit. It was passed in 1958, and is viewed by activists as outdated, draconian, and a threat to human rights.
She launched her hunger strike in 2000 after security forces killed 10 people near her home following a rebel attack on a military convoy.
Irom is reportedly “dejected” by the public reception she received.
“I would like to marry my fiance, a British national of Indian origin who I met after starting my fast”.
Doctors have said she will need medical help to begin eating again.
An Indian court has granted bail to a hunger-striking activist who has been force-fed for almost 16 years, after she assured the judge that she planned to end her fast.
Sharmila must reappear in court on June 23 next year.
Earlier reports quoted her saying she will now join politics and get married to his long time friend as well. Sharmila ended 16 years of fasting on Tuesday.
Her mother Sakhi has refused to meet her.
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Anil Arora, chairman, Department of Gastroenterology of the hospital, said: “After disuse for so long, the internal lining of the stomach and intestine experience atrophy and it will take several weeks before the gut brain can balance itself out in a manner where there is proper absorption of vitamins, nutrients and calories”.
