Irom Sharmila started her hunger strike in 2000, after 10 civilians were killed in a shooting blamed on the Indian army in Manipur state. Here, she is greeted by supporters following her release from a hospital jail in Imphal, India's northeastern Manipur state, on August 20, 2014.
Irom Sharmila started her hunger strike in 2000, after 10 civilians were killed in a shooting blamed on the Indian army in Manipur state. Here, she is greeted by supporters following her release from a hospital jail in Imphal, India's northeastern Manipur state, on August 20, 2014.
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Sharmila breaks down in tears as she is finally released from a hospital jail in Imphal, India's northeastern Manipur state, on August 20, 2014.
Sharmila breaks down in tears as she is finally released from a hospital jail in Imphal, India's northeastern Manipur state, on August 20, 2014.
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Sharmila, also known as the "Iron Lady of Manipur," leaves after an appearance at the Patiala House Court in New Delhi on May 28, 2014.
Sharmila, also known as the "Iron Lady of Manipur," leaves after an appearance at the Patiala House Court in New Delhi on May 28, 2014.
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Supporters of Sharmila shout slogans outside the New Delhi court where she made an appearance in March, 2013. The human rights activist rejected suicide charges put against her by the Delhi government.
Supporters of Sharmila shout slogans outside the New Delhi court where she made an appearance in March, 2013. The human rights activist rejected suicide charges put against her by the Delhi government.
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Sharmila arrives at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi in March, 2013. The jailed activist was fed through her nose in the security ward of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Imphal, under a law that makes attempted suicide illegal.
Sharmila arrives at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi in March, 2013. The jailed activist was fed through her nose in the security ward of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Imphal, under a law that makes attempted suicide illegal.
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Sharmila refused food and water to back her demand for the repeal of India's Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) because it gives sweeping powers to the military to search properties, detain suspects without warrants and shoot on sight.
Sharmila refused food and water to back her demand for the repeal of India's Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) because it gives sweeping powers to the military to search properties, detain suspects without warrants and shoot on sight.
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Activists supporting the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) shout slogans in support of the rights activist during a protest in New Delhi in November, 2011.
Activists supporting the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) shout slogans in support of the rights activist during a protest in New Delhi in November, 2011.
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Members of the Bangalore chapter of Manipuri Metei Association hold placards during a silent sit-in protest in support of Irom Sharmila. To prevent her death, Indian authorities force-fed the activist through a plastic drip.
Members of the Bangalore chapter of Manipuri Metei Association hold placards during a silent sit-in protest in support of Irom Sharmila. To prevent her death, Indian authorities force-fed the activist through a plastic drip.
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Irom Chanu Sharmila was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. Here, she is escorted by female police officers prior to a court appearance in New Delhi in May, 2007.
Irom Chanu Sharmila was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. Here, she is escorted by female police officers prior to a court appearance in New Delhi in May, 2007.
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Sharmila is attended to by her supporters at a hunger strike protest in New Delhi in October 2006.
Sharmila is attended to by her supporters at a hunger strike protest in New Delhi in October 2006.
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