Irom Sharmila on Tuesday announced the formation of her new political party called the People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance, ANI reported. The outfit will contest the Manipur Assembly elections next year, according to Sharmila, who ended her 16-year-long fast against the imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Manipur on August 9.

The activist had declared her intention to set up a new party after her acquittal in an attempted suicide case by a district court in Imphal on October 6. “I hope I will accelerate my new mission to integrate with the people after my 16-year struggle with this [party],” she had said after the verdict. Sharmila will contest the polls from Thoubal, the home constituency of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, and her poll plank will be to withdraw the Act.

She has been arrested, released and rearrested on attempted suicide charges after she began fasting for the repeal of AFSPA from the state in November, 2000. The Act is enforced to bring under control areas that the government considered “disturbed”.