Struggles waged by Sharmila, Suu Kyi almost similar: Book

New Delhi, Sept 10 (PTI) The struggles waged by
Myanmar's pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and Manipuri
activist Irom Sharmila may be for different reasons but both
these indomitable women continues to wield enormous moral and
emotional power and are feared by their governments for their
potential to mobilise wide support, says a new book.

"Both seemingly delicate and frail human beings are
untiring in their resistance. Detained by their governments,
each of these indomitable women continues to wield enormous
moral and emotional power," writes academic Deepti Priya
Mehrotra in "Burning Bright: Irom Sharmila and the Struggle
for Peace in Manipur".

"Both 'iron ladies' are feared by their national
governments, for they have the potential to mobilise wide
support, and the powers-that-be live in dread of their
popularity," the book, published by Penguin, says.

Sharmila has been on a fast unto death for eight
years, demanding a repeal of the controversial Armed Forces
(Special Powers) Act in Manipur which empowers military and
paramilitary personnel to arrest, shoot and even kill anyone
on the grounds of mere suspicion.

The government arrested her and force-fed her through
nasal tubes. She has been released and re-arrested innumerable
times since then, but has stood by her demand, steadfast
refusing to eat until the Act is repealed. (MORE) PTI