Those opposing me want me to be a martyr: Irom Sharmila

IMPHAL: A day after breaking her 16 year long fast, Irom Sharmila Chanu said that several people misunderstood his real ideology and civil society wants her to become their voice.

Sharmila while interacting with a group of media persons in the state-run Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) on Wednesday said, “Those opposing me my decision want me to be a martyr.”

A section of people is miffed with Irom for her decision to join politics and end the 16 year long fast. On Tuesday soon after her release from the jail she went to stay at different places however she faced resistance forcing her to come back to hospital.

Sharmila has announced that she will fight now for repeal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act politically. “I expected support from civil society however unfortunately nothing happened.”

Terming politics as dirty, the human right crusader added, “People misunderstood my real ideology. I am completely shaken.”

Admitting that her love for Desmond Cutinho, a Goa-born British national, has been one of the factors behind changing her mind, she said, “I am human being. Give me sometime. I have to be an embodiment of change and that why I am changing my strategy.”

Sharmila hopes that those who are unhappy with her stand will change their mind. She plans to hold talks with them.

On Wednesday there were two explosions in Imphal. There was two IED blast one at Maphou where one person was injured and another near Manipur university.