Irom Sharmila breaks her 16-year-old fast; invites 20 new candidates to help topple Ibobi government in Manipur
Imphal: Breaking into tears, Manipur’s “Iron Lady” Irom Sharmila yesterday broke her 16-year-old hunger strike, the world's longest, and declared she wants to become the chief minister so that she could repeal the contentious AFSPA.
Irom Sharmila after breaking her fast yesterday. Pic/AFP
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Outside a government hospital, a room of which was turned into a jail for her, the 44-year-old iconic rights activist turned emotional as she licked honey from her palm to end the fast that she undertook in protest against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
“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.”
Earlier in the day, Imphal West district’s chief judicial magistrate Lamkhanpau Tonsing in his order said as the offence under section 309 (attempt to commit suicide) is a bailable offence, he is inclined to allow her on bail on a personal bond of Rs 10,000. After the bond was furnished, a release order was issued.
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