Imphal:
While Indians seem to be exulting in Anna Hazare's successful fast, far away in Manipur, there is a voice that seems to going unheard. Irom Sharmila has been on fast for 3,763 days today, just short of 11 years. Called the 'Iron lady of Manipur,' she is fasting to demand the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which gives the armed forces wide ranging powers to shoot, arrest and search civilians.
From her hospital bed in Imphal, thousands of kilometers from New Delhi, Irom Sharmila has followed the Anna Hazare agitation closely. She has found it inspiring but somewhat unrealistic. "Our purpose is very different. It's somewhat artificial, how can we eradicate corruption?"
She added, "Also he is a seasoned social activist. I am a simple woman. I wanted to reform society. I had no idea about social activist or social workers."
Irom Sharmila was invited by Team Anna to join Anna Hazare's fast at Ramlila grounds in Delhi. But she was not able to go because she is in judicial custody. In an interview to NDTV she hoped Anna wholeheartedly supported her cause. "I hope Anna is able to come down to Manipur but I cannot press him to do so," Irom Sharmila said.
Irom Sharmila also expressed her disappointment with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for failing to keep his promise of amending the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). "I don't like his (the Prime Minister's) leadership. When he couldn't keep his promise, it is a shame". Singh had made the promise in 2004.