Ready to end fast if AFPSA repealed: Irom Sharmila

Manipuri rights activist Irom Sharmila on Tuesday told a Delhi court that she was ready to end her fast if the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) was repealed and expressed her desire to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the issue.

Sharmila, 42, who is on a fast for around 16 years in Manipur, demanding repeal of AFSPA, said in the court that she had expressed her desire to meet the PM long time ago, but he has not met her so far. 

Sharmila, who is fed through a nasal tube, said this during final arguments in a case in which she is facing trial for allegedly trying to commit suicide while undertaking fast -unto-death at Jantar Mantar on October 4, 2006.

Advancing final arguments, the prosecutor contended that Sharmila had the intention to kill herself and the offence of trying to commit suicide was clearly made out against her.