Activist Irom Shramila, who recently announced her plans to end her 16 year old fast against brutality of Armed Forces, is facing threats by secessionist groups against her decisoion to contest elections and marrying an “outsider” reports The Hindustan Times.
The proscribed group 'Alliance for Socialist Unity Kangleipak' said that "some former revolutionary leaders were assassinated" after moving away from the cause and participating in public life. “All those who joined electoral politics did so knowing well that it was a dead-end,” ASUK chairman N Oken and vice-chairman Ksh Lab Meitei said in a statement on Wednesday.
On July 26, the 44-year-old iconic rights activist, who has been forcibly fed through a nasal tube since 2000, said she would join politics as she no longer believes that her fast will lead to the repeal of the "draconian" AFSPA.
" I will end my fast on August 9 and contest elections on an independent ticket," Sharmila told the media after coming out of a local court here where she is facing a trial for attempting suicide.
The activist, known as the Iron Lady of Manipur, termed a Prisoner of conscience' by Amnesty International and recipient of various prizes, has declined food or drink for the last 16 years.
Sharmila began a hunger strike in November 2000, following the killing of 10 civilians by security forces. She was arrested by the Manipur government in 2000 under section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, which prohibits an attempt to commit suicide.
