Irom Sharmila ended her 16-year fast after she was released by a court on Tuesday by consuming solid food. She couldn’t hold her emotions and broke down before tasting the honey on her hand. 

While addressing the media after breaking her fast, the 44-year-old iconic rights activist said,”I want to be the chief minister of Manipur. I want to convince our people that I will work for them.” 

“I am not so educated I know nothing about politics, and about academic line also. My education is very, very low. But I want to convince our people that my power will shower upon people, and without sense of defensive and possessive nature,” she said. 

She also responded to the death threats that some groups had issued against her. Here’s what she said:

On being asked how she felt after eating food after such a long time she said:

Talking about meeting her mother she said,” I will not meet my mother till I have achieved my goal. I want to settle in an ashram.”

Sharmila urged the Election Commission to make arrangements for the next election so she could stand as CM candidate independently. She urged independent candidates to join her.

She also had a personal message for the Prime Minister.  “You continue to indulge in violence. Try governing us without discrimination,” Sharmila said.

Earlier in the day, Sharmila had appeared before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate of Imphal West, Lamkhanpau Tonsing around 11 a.m and was granted bail on personal bond of Rs 10,000. 

She requested the CJM to release her, promising to break her 16-year-old fast against AFSPA. The judge told her that pleading guilty was the only option to release her, but she did not agree to it. Ultimately, she was released on a personal bond.