16-year hunger strike coming to an end

India's most famous prisoner of conscience, Irom Sharmila, waves goodbye to activists who visited her at the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital, where she has been kept in judicial custody, in November 2014.

India’s most famous prisoner of conscience, Irom Sharmila, waves goodbye to activists who visited her at the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital, where she has been kept in judicial custody, in November 2014.

(Anupam Nath / Associated Press)

Aug. 2, 2016 8:01 AM PT

Irom Sharmila began her hunger strike in November 2000, after Indian security forces allegedly killed 10 civilians at a bus stop in the restive northeastern state of Manipur. She wants an end to a controversial law that grants impunity to the Indian armed forces in troubled regions.

16-year hunger strike coming to an end

Irom Sharmila, known as the Iron Lady of Manipur, is transported from a New Delhi court in May 2014.

(Chandan Khanna / AFP/Getty Images)

16-year hunger strike coming to an end

Irom Sharmila arrives an the airport in Imphal in May 2014 to board a flight for New Delhi for a court appearance.

(AFP/Getty Images)

16-year hunger strike coming to an end

Irom Sharmila attends a news conference in New Delhi in March 2013 after being charged with attempted suicide over her hunger strike.

(Tsering Topgyal / Associated Press)

16-year hunger strike coming to an end

Irom Sharmila is escorted by police officers before a court appearance in New Delhi in May 2007.

( AFP/Getty Images)

16-year hunger strike coming to an end

Irom Sharmila is attended to by supporters at a protest in New Delhi in October 2006.

(Gurinder Osan / Associated Press )

More From the Los Angeles Times

Most Read in World & Nation