The iconic activist Irom Sharmila, who has been on hunger strike for last 16 years demanding the repeal of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, has decided to end her fast on August 9. She also said that, she wants to marry and fight the Manipur Assembly elections as an Independent candidate.

The 44-year-old Manipuri rights activist said she would join politics to the repeal of the “draconian” Act. "I will break my fast on August 9 as the government has failed to give any positive response. I will fight elections to resolve the issues." “I will join politics and my fight will continue,” said Ms. Sharmila.

She has refused to eat or drink anything since November 2000, and is force-fed through a nasal tube in Imphal’s Jawahar Lal Nehru Hospital.  

The government had arrested, released and then re-arrested her from time to time on the charge of making an attempt to commit suicide. "Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, had resorted to fasts while making certain demands," she has said.

Her elder brother Singhajit, who has been with her throughout her struggle, said that, “I haven’t spoken to her in the last few days because of my bad health. I heard it from others.”

Babloo Loitongbam, her long-time associate and Director of Human Rights Alert Manipur, said that,  "We are trying to speak to her to get a sense of how she wants to take struggle forward. Of course if she wants to end her fast, it is totally her prerogative but it is also important to carry the struggle forward."

“If  AFSPA has not been repealed in 15 years of her fast, it won’t happen in another 30 years,” he said.

Nandini