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Indian activist ends hunger strike after 16 years

 
Indian political activist Irom Sharmila licks honey from her hand to finally break her fast. 
Indian political activist Irom Sharmila licks honey from her hand to finally break her fast. 
Published Aug. 10, 2016

IMPHAL, India — One of India's most prominent political activists ended a 16-year hunger strike Tuesday, licking honey from her hand and declaring, "I will never forget this moment."

Irom Sharmila had been force-fed through a tube in her nose and held by police since November 2000, when she began her fast to protest a draconian security law that gives immense power to security forces in the northeastern state of Manipur.

Earlier Tuesday, a judge had granted her bail after she assured him that she planned to end her fast.

Hours later, she appeared at a news conference, the nose tube already removed, and tasted the honey.

She said she plans to run in the next Manipur state elections, in early 2017, to fight to have the security act struck down.

"I need power to remove this act," said Sharmila, 44. "I am the real embodiment of revolution."

Asked how she felt to finally eat, she said "I will never forget this moment."

She began her fast days after 10 civilians were killed by paramilitary soldiers in Manipur, which has long been plagued by uprisings by ethnic separatist militants and violent government crackdowns.

She was charged with attempting suicide, a crime in India, allowing officials to force feed her.