The mystery of the 'Iron Lady' hunger strike for 16 years

One of India's most famous political activists has ended a 16-year hunger strike by licking some honey from his finger.

According to NPR, Irom Sharmila, 44, the "iron lady" of Manipur state, tasted food for the first time since her hunger strike in 2000 on August 9. "I will never forget this moment," Sharmila said.

The lone hunger striker has become a symbol of Manipur's resistance. Sharmila did so to protest against draconian security laws that give vast powers to security forces in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur.

Irom Sharmila was force-fed through a nasal tube and has been in police custody since November 2000.

In India, hunger strike is considered a crime – an attempt to commit suicide. So the authorities forced her to eat. However, after years of fruitless efforts, Sharmila found another way.

Early on August 9, a judge granted the activist bail after she affirmed that she would end her hunger strike.

Hours later, appearing at a press conference, Sharmila tasted honey, after the feeding tube was removed.

Sharmila said she would contest the Manipur state polls in 2017 to continue her political fight, the Guardian reported.

“I needed the strength to reverse that decision. I was the embodiment of a revolution.” Sharmila began her hunger strike after 10 civilians were killed by paramilitary forces in Manipur.

The Special Powers Act is currently in effect in Indian-controlled Kashmir and several other areas in the country's northeast, where separatist insurgencies are taking place.

According to VietnamnetThe law allows security forces to shoot dead suspected terrorists without fear of prosecution and arrest suspected rebels without warrant. It also gives police powers to arrest and search.

According to VNE