Irom Sharmila to end fast today after 16 long years

Born on March 14, 1972, Irom Chanu Sharmila is a civil rights activist, political activist, and poet from Manipur. At 28 years, she was witness to the Malom massacre. That's when she decided to sit on a hunger strike. She began the hunger strike on November 2, 2000. Her primary demand is to repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA. Irom Sharmila has been fasting for the last 16 years. Known as the “Iron Lady of Manipur,” she has refused food and water for over 500 weeks which makes her “the world's longest hunger striker.” However, she has been force-fed a mixture of liquified carbohydrates & proteins through her nose several times a day. Irom has also been arrested and released almost every year in the last 16 years but she refused to break her fast. Now Irom has decided to discontinue her fast and will eat through mouth today for the 1st time in 16 years. She has also announced to contest election from Manipur. She also plans to marry her Goan-British boyfriend soon.