Irom Sharmila Chanu

thumb|Irom Sharmila in 2017. Irom Sharmila Chanu (born 14 March 1972), also known as the "Iron Lady of Manipur" or "Mengoubi" ("the fair one") is an Indian civil rights activist, political activist, and poet from the northeastern Indian state of Manipur. In November 2000, she began a hunger strike for terminating the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958. She ended her fast in 2016 after 16 years and being nasally force-fed for over 500 weeks in custody. Hence, she has been viewed as the world's longest hunger striker. Amnesty International has declared her as a prisoner of conscience. Quotes The day AFSPA is repealed I will eat rice from my mother's hand. "A Life-Affirming Fast", Economic & Political Weekly (23 March 2013) I got nothing out of fasting for 16 years. I want to contest election and become chief minister because I need power for a big change in society and system. Irom Sharmila ends fast, says "want to become Manipur CM", Hindustan Times (9 August, 2016) I am identified as an embodiment of saints. Since the beginning of my fast, there is no change in the mindset of the people. They remain content in making me a symbol of resistance. They wanted me to be a martyr. Irom Sharmila: I want to be free like a bird and fly, BBC (10 August, 2016) External links Category:Women from India Category:Political activists from India Category:Civil rights activists from India Category:1972 births Category:Living people