Ending my fast, want to be Chief Minister of Manipur: Irom Sharmila

Activist Irom Sharmila Chanu on Tuesday ended her 16-year-long fast against the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958.

"From today onwards I have ended my fast,"  breaking into tears, Irom Sharmila told the press in Imphal.

After tasting honey to symbolically end her fast, the "iron lady of Manipur" said that she wants to join politics and contest elections.

"I want to contest elections against Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh," Sharmila told the press.

"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," she said.

"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," Sharmila said, adding "I want to invite 20 independent candidates to join me and topple Chief Minister Ibobi".

Asked about Narendra Modi, she said, "Mr Prime Minister, you need non-violence in this age. Without this draconian law (AFSPA) you would be able to connect with us. PM
Modi needs to follow the path of non-violence of Gandhiji".

When questioned if she took the decision to end fast so that she can 'settle down', Sharmila said that love is personal matter and natural.

She said that she would now stay in an Ashram and wouldn't need any security. "I don't like to be called a Goddess of Manipur. I am a human being," she said.

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 suicide) is a bailable offence he is inclined to allow her on bail on her furnishing a personal bond of Rs 10,000.

After the bond was furnished, it was accepted by the court and a release order issued.

She has been asked to appear before the court again on August 23.