Civil rights activist Irom Sharmila, dubbed the 'Iron Lady of Manipur' for her 16-year-long fast for repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, on Sunday became a mother, giving birth to twin girls.
Sharmila gave birth at a hospital in Bengaluru. Sharmila had married her partner, Desmond Coutinho, in 2017 and settled in Kodaikanal. According to the Mumbai Mirror, the babies have been named Nix Shakhi and Autumn Tara. Obstetrician Dr Sripada Vinekar was quoted as saying “both Sharmila and the babies were fine”.
Sharmila (46) made headlines around the world when she began a fast in 2000 following the killing of 10 civilians by security forces near Imphal's airport. Sharmila was arrested and force-fed during her fast, but refused to give in, ending her fast only in 2016. Her decision came after the Supreme Court in July 2016 questioned the “immunity” from prosecution for security personnel operating under AFSPA.
While she could not manage to move the Central government to lift the AFSPA, Sharmila's protest raised awareness about the legislation. Sharmila had declared her desire to become chief minister of Manipur while ending her fast. She launched a political party and contested the 2017 assembly elections, but lost.
