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Irom Sharmila, a one-woman army
Published on Fri, Oct 06, 2006 at 08:30, Updated on Fri, Oct 06, 2006 at 09:58 in 
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New Delhi: Try staying without food for a day or two. Find it tough? Social activist Irom Sharmila – the iron lady of Manipur – has been on a fast for nearly six years now.
Sharmila has been trying to revoke the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Manipur after security forces in Malom in Manipur gunned down 10 innocent bystanders near the Imphal Airport on November 2, 2000.
Six years ago, Sharmila took on the Government and her struggle has been called by many as the longest political struggle of its kind.
And her choice of means to protest was a peaceful fast.
After offering floral tributes at Gandhi Samadhi in the Capital, Sharmila continued her fast at Jantar Mantar.
But sadly, in the land of Gandhi, though the world is clued in to her, not many know about her in her own land.
"I think my end is approaching. I'm here to pay my final homage to the Mahatma," Sharmila said.
The Armed Forces Special Powers Act only applies in Kashmir and insurgency-affected North East.
Human rights groups say it has given the Army the license to kill, torture and rape with impunity.
"Nothing has happened in the last six years. She is in Delhi to get people to understand the problems in Manipur," Executive Director, Human Rights Alert, Babloo Loitongbam said.
Detained at the security ward of government run JN hospital ward, Sharmila has survived till date because of being force fed till the time of her release.
Her demands are neither for Meitei nor Naga rights and with no known political affiliation, she has decided to continue her fast until and unless the repressive act is repealed.
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