India: female activist to end 16-year-old hunger strike

(AGI) - New Delhi, Jul 27 - Indian activist Irom Sharmila has decided to end her 16 year hunger strike against a controversial law in India. Irom Sharmila was on a hunger strike in eastern state of Manipur demanding withdrawal of the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act(AFSPA) from the state. The Act gives soldiers sweeping powers to arrest anyone without warrants. Iron Sharmila for the last 16 years has been living under house arrest as an undertrial prisoner in a room in the special ward of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal, which is the state capital. She has been force fed through her nose through the Ryles tube. In an announcement that surprised many, Iron Sharmila said that she will end her fast on 9th August, get married and fight next year's assembly elections in Manipur. Sharmila told the media, "The Government has not been listening to our voices and has been suppressing out movement." She said she will join politics and contest polls in a bid to "get our voices heard at the Centre". (AGI) .