Kodaikanal: The indomitable human rights activist from Manipur Irom Sharmila (45) filed an application to marry her British partner at the sub-registrar office in Kodaikanal on Wednesday.
After facing the worst defeat in the recently held Assembly election in Manipur, she has been staying along with her partner Desmond Coutinho in a cottage in Perumalamalai near Kodaikanal from May. She had said earlier too that she intends to marry her partner.
She formally initiated the marriage process when she was told by the sub-registrar that she would have to wait for one month for solemnising and registration of their wedding as per the Special Marriages Act. The sub-registrar has already put up their names on the notice board calling for objections if any.
Speaking to reporters, Sharmila said that she came to Kodaikanal in search of peace and she got it. "We will wed in Kodaikanal after 30 days", she said. On the political front, the human rights activist said her struggle had not left her tired though her 16-year-long fast against the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act had not changed the political atmosphere in Manipur.
She said she has decided to take forward her non-violent struggle against the atrocities of the Indian Army by adopting a new strategy.
