Anna campaign ‘somewhat artificial’: Irom Sharmila

“It’s (Anna Hazare’s movement) somewhat artificial,how can we eradicate corruption? In my case I am a simple woman who wants to reform society. I have no idea about social activists or social workers,” she said.

Sharmila,however,said she revered the 74-year-old crusader against corruption.

She also voiced her disappointment at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for not keeping his promise of amending the AFSPA.

“I don’t like his (the Prime Minister’s) leadership. When he couldn’t keep his promise,it is a shame.” Singh had made the promise in 2004 when he was on a visit to Imphal.

“I would like to request that please sir look at me like Anna Hazare,people of this whole nation just like in God’s eyes are equal. So,without discrimination treat me,” she said,adding “I would just like to request him (prime minister) change your mindset.”

Sharmila claimed that the Union government and its observers felt that north east people were inefficient and that they were not like mainland. “They don’t like to treat us like Anna,” she added.