Pune: Civil rights activist Irom Sharmila today announced that she will go to Jammu and Kashmir to work for women empowerment there.
The activist also said she would no longer resort to ‘indefinite fast’ as an agitation tool.
Sharmila shot to fame after launching an indefinite fast in 2000 demanding withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from Manipur. She ended her fast on August 9, 2016.
She was here with her husband Desmond Coutinho to visit Pune-based NGO Sarhad, which works for rehabilitation of Kashmiri children.
Sarhad announced Sharmila as its brand ambassador on this occasion.
“I am not against the Army. I am against the system. I will be going to Kashmir and will have a dialogue with Kashmiri women to know about their issues, sufferings,” she said.
“I will put emphasis on dialogue and will not use the tactic of fasting anymore,” she said.
Asked if she would talk to the Centre or the state government to raise the issues of Kashmiri women, Sharmila said she won’t approach any government, but meet the people of Kashmir Valley with a hope that the government will be moved by the people’s movement.
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