Irom Sharmila, Manipur’s Iron lady who broke her 16-year-old fast on Tuesday, is suddenly finding herself virtually friendless in Manipur. The people of the State seem to have rejected her for abruptly ending her epic fast to enter politics to achieve her goal of repealing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). The “Save Sharmila Group” and others have distanced themselves from her. There was nobody to console her at the court complex on Tuesday.
From her family to close friends and even neighbours, no one wants to even shake hands with the feisty woman. She faced locals’ protests twice on Tuesday night. When she went to the house of one of her long time acquaintances to stay there, locals protested forcing her to go to an NGO-run shelter, only to face the same wrath there also.
Sharmila had to return to the same hospital which had been her home for 16 years, albeit this time it has nothing to do with her health. It is simply because she has no place to sit or sleep. Her own family doesn’t want her. Concerned about her security, the police brought her back to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of medical Science on Tuesday night.
Sharmila rued, “When I decided to end fast, I expected that the people would support me. But they have failed to understand me and I too have failed to understand them. The people of Manipur wanted a martyr and not a living Sharmila, who wants to fight politically to repeal the draconian act.”
“They (people) wanted me as a symbol of resistance. But I am only an ordinary human being fighting for a great cause of my people. However, I shall continue my struggle to repeal the AFSPA but the fight will be political now,” said Sharmila.
Visibly upset by the peoples’ protests, Sharmila said, “I am yet to take a decision on where to stay. I am upset by the protests of people last night. I shall take a decision soon in this regard.”
There is widespread unhappiness among the people of the State after the Iron lady decided to fight elections and tie nuptial knot. Sharmila’s support group — Sharmila Kunba lup (Save Sharmila Campaign) — has already stated that they would remove Sharmila’s name from the organisation.
Meanwhile, Superintendent of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Science Rajib laisharam said that it might take months for Sharmila to develop taste and adapt to normal life. “As of now she is alright but she does not have the feelings like hunger, thirst or taste. She needs prolonged medical counselling. She will be in hospital for next few days and we are going to release her only after someone confirms an accommodation for her and arranges for her regular medical care,” said Dr laisharam.