<p>Irom Sharmila, Manipur's 'Iron Lady', today completed 12 years of indefinite fast demanding repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).<br /><br /></p>.<p>Sharmila, who is force-fed through the nose to keep her alive began her fast till death after ten persons, including a boy who received the national bravery award, were shot dead in an alleged encounter with Assam Rifles personnel at Malom near Imphal airport on November 2, 2000.<br /><br />A newspaper columnist and social worker then, Sharmila, went on fast on November 5 that year demanding repeal of AFSPA.<br /><br />She was arrested a day later and charged with attempt to commit suicide.<br />Since then she has been produced in court from time to time, rearrested and produced again in court.She is force fed at a government hospital at Porompat here where the ward she is in has been converted into a jail.<br /><br />Sharmila has received several global awards and several prominent personalities from different parts of the country have visited her in support of her demands.<br /><br />Her brother and spokesman Irom Singhajit said social organisations including Just Peace Foundation would hold candlelight demonstrations in Imphal while public discussions would be held during the day.<br /><br />Official sources said security and police forces would be deployed in various parts of the city as a precautionary measure.</p>
<p>Irom Sharmila, Manipur's 'Iron Lady', today completed 12 years of indefinite fast demanding repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).<br /><br /></p>.<p>Sharmila, who is force-fed through the nose to keep her alive began her fast till death after ten persons, including a boy who received the national bravery award, were shot dead in an alleged encounter with Assam Rifles personnel at Malom near Imphal airport on November 2, 2000.<br /><br />A newspaper columnist and social worker then, Sharmila, went on fast on November 5 that year demanding repeal of AFSPA.<br /><br />She was arrested a day later and charged with attempt to commit suicide.<br />Since then she has been produced in court from time to time, rearrested and produced again in court.She is force fed at a government hospital at Porompat here where the ward she is in has been converted into a jail.<br /><br />Sharmila has received several global awards and several prominent personalities from different parts of the country have visited her in support of her demands.<br /><br />Her brother and spokesman Irom Singhajit said social organisations including Just Peace Foundation would hold candlelight demonstrations in Imphal while public discussions would be held during the day.<br /><br />Official sources said security and police forces would be deployed in various parts of the city as a precautionary measure.</p>