Manipuri activist Sharmila in Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 4 (UNI) A 34-year-old woman -- on a hunger strike since late 2000 demanding repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Manipur-- today visited Rajghat to pay her respects to the Father of the Nation.

Sharmila started her hunger strike on November 2, 2000 after ten youth were killed in police firing in Manipur. Shortly after, she was arrested on the charge of attempting suicide. Since then the authorities have been feeding her through a nasal tube in a government hospital in Imphal.

She was smuggled out of Imphal reportedly by a group of supporters and flown to the national capital.

The controversial law gives special powers to security forces to fight insurgency in the state.

UNI YA VA KN2030