Imphal: She has not set out to establish any record but her iron resolve to fast till death demanding withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 from Manipur, has made social activist Irom Sharmila to remain without solid food for the 1066th day today (Oct 4).

Sharmila, who is being force fed through a tube in judicial custody since November 2000 told Chief Minister Ibobi Singh, who visited her at the J N hospital in Imphal that she would not give up her fast till the withdrawal of the Act, which she said, had led to 'Human Rights violations by law-enforcing agencies'.

Hundreds of innocent people had lost their lives because of the Act in Manipur, the 34-year-old Sharmila told the Chief Minister when he and some of his Cabinet colleagues called on her on October 2 to persuade her to withdraw her fast since the Act could not be revoked because of the prevailing law and order situation in the state.

Sharmila had gone on indefinite hunger strike after the killing of 10 civilians by security personnel in November 2000 in the airport area.

Sharmila, who is being produced in court every fortnight was on October 4 remanded to another 15 days by the district and session judge.

Many dignitaries including Union Ministers had earlier met her urging her to break her fast since her demand could not be immediately conceded.

Hospital sources said her condition has been deteriorating because of prolonged artificial feeding.

PTI