Manipur’s “Iron Lady” Irom Sharmila broke her 16-year-old hunger strike, the world's longest and declared that she wants to become the chief minister, so that she could repeal the contentious AFSPA. All these years, Irom Sharmila used non-cooperation to force the government to end rule via Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Manipur.
“There is no democracy in Manipur. I want to be Chief Minister of Manipur and make positive changes,” she said calmly. Ms. Sharmila told journalists that she is neither an icon nor a goddess, but an “ordinary woman with ordinary desires.” Asked about her plans for marriage, she said it is her “personal issue and a very natural one.”
“I want to be the chief minister of Manipur to make positive changes. If I become chief minister, the first thing I will do is to remove the AFSPA. I need power. In Manipur politics is so dirty and everyone knows it. But people don't realise that the people are also involved in this dirtiness, “ she said, adding, “I want to invite 20 independent candidates to join me and topple Chief Minister Ibobi.”
Hours after Irom Sharmila, broke her fast and left the hospital, she tried to enter the Kaisampat area of Imphal town, but was prevented by people upset with her from breaking the hunger strike.
Her next stop was the local police station where she spent some time discussing where she would like to stay. She had earlier given three options to the police, ISKON temple ashram, a children's home or the hospital itself.
The police escorted her to ISKON, but there authorities and the police felt the ashram did not have enough medical facilities. Irom Sharmila's health is fragile after 16 years of fasting, so they brought her to the Jawaharlal hospital again.
Irom is 'dejected' by the public reception she received. Imphal is divided about the fast being broken.
Bombarded with questions about her plans, Irom had, haltingly but defiantly said that, "This is my life. I want equality. I am called the Iron Lady of Manipur and I want to live up to it."
By Premji
