The 'Iron Lady' of Manipur, Irom Sharmila has no place to call home. Her decision to end her 16-year fast and take a new route to fight for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) hasn't gone down well with the people of her state.
Escorted by police, Sharmila tried to visit the residence of a doctor and an NGO-run shelter home on Tuesday evening but was booed away by locals. Fearing a threat to her life, the policemen then escorted her to the office of the city police, to be eventually shifted back to the ward at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) at night, where she had already spent the past 16 years of her life.
Sharmila, however, still has supporters outside her state, and one of them, actress Renuka Shahane, has offered the political activist a place in her home. Speaking against those who chose to withdraw their support for Sharmila, Renuka said it would be an honour to host Sharmila at her Mumbai residence.
Shahane put out a Facebook offering her home to Sharmila, and many people commended her for gesture, while criticising the Manipuri people for not standing by the activist.