Indian activist to end her 16-year hunger strike August 9, 2016 - 11:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Indian activist Irom Sharmila Chanu is ending her hunger strike against a controversial law after 16 years, BBC News reports. She told a court last month that she would end her protest on Tuesday, August 9 and begin campaigning as an independent candidate for the upcoming assembly elections in the northeastern state of Manipur. Chanu had been protesting against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which gives soldiers sweeping powers to arrest without warrants and even shoot to kill in certain situations. AFSPA is in effect in several Indian states, including in Manipur and Indian-administered Kashmir. Photographer Ian Thomas Jansen-Lonnquist has closely followed her journey in the past few years. Chanu has been force-fed through a tube in her nose for more than a decade. She started her fast 16 years ago after 10 civilians were killed by Indian soldiers in Manipur. She has spent most of the last 16 years in judicial custody in a hospital in Manipur's capital, Imphal, where she was force-fed a cocktail of medicines and baby formula. Chanu was released in August 2014 after the court rejected the charge that she was "attempting to commit suicide". But she was re-arrested two days later after she refused to end her protest. Photo: Ian Thomas Jansen-Lonnquist Related links:   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village  The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015.Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents.“By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents.The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. |
