Sharmila, a civil rights activist, began her hunger strike after the death of ten people in an alleged encounter with the Assam Rifles at Malom in Imphal valley on November 2, 2000.

She has been demanding repeal of AFSPA which the human rights activists hold as a draconian law. Currently she is in judicial custody where she is forcibly fed through her nose.

There will be several candlelight demonstrations by civil rights activists and members of social organisations today thoughout Manipur to express their solidarity with Sharmila.