JD-U hails Irom Sharmila, terms her a 'strong person'

Hailing rights activist Irom Chanu Sharmila, who yesterday ended her 16-year-fast against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) on Wednesday termed her struggle as part of Mahatma Gandhi's principle, adding she is a strong person.

"We wish her on this and salute to her long struggle. If a person in her normal life based on values does hunger-strike, which is part of Mahatma Gandhi's principles and is a long struggle, then definitely she is a strong person. I congratulate her strength," JD (U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar told ANI.

'Iron Lady' Sharmila ended her 16-year-fast on Tuesday and expressed desire to serve the people of Manipur as the Chief Minister.

Addressing the media after breaking her hunger strike in Imphal, Sharmila said that she has been called the 'Iron Lady' of Manipur and would want to live up to that image.

"From today onwards, I have ended my fast. I want to join politics as I've been called the Iron lady of Manipur and I want to live up to that name," she said.

Sharmila was arrested and released several times under Section 309 (attempt to commit suicide) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

However, she rejected the allegations that she ever tried to commit suicide, saying she was on a hunger strike demanding AFSPA withdrawal.