Manipur’s Divide
The ethnic tensions in Manipur between the Kuki-Zo tribes and the Meitei community have brought the state's governance under intense scrutiny.
Finally, Irom Sharmila, the indefatigable fighter against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Manipur, has decided to tie the knot.
On Wednesday, she filed an application for marriage with her long-time British friend Desmond Coutinho in the office of Sub Registrar Rajesh in this hill station in Tamil Nadu.
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Sharmila, who had a disastrous debut in assembly elections in Manipur this year, filed the application under the Hindu Marriage Act. The Sub Registrar told her that since it is an inter-religious marriage, they have to file the application under the Special Marriage Act.
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Rajesh said their application will be put up on the notice board for any objections and the marriage can be performed after the expiry of the 30-day notice period.
Sharmila, who moved to Kodaikanal and has been living with her friend for some months, told reporters that she came to Kodaikanal in search of peace and liked the place. Though defeated in her fight, she said she had not given up her cause.
Sharmila is popular for her more than 16-year-long hunger strike demanding the withdrawal of the AFSPA from Manipur. She ended the fast in August last year.
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