Irom Sharmila coming to city since pregnancy

Bengaluru: Civil rights activist Irom Sharmila, who is known for her 16-year hunger strike against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Manipur, gave birth to twin girls in the city on Sunday.

The 46-year-old is settled in Kodaikanal after getting married to Goa-born British national Desmond Coutinho in 2017. She delivered the twins at Cloudnine hospital, Malleswaram, through a successful C-section surgery around 9.20 am on Sunday. She was admitted on Saturday. The couple has named their daughters Nix Sakhi and Autumn Tara.

Dr Sriprada Vinekar, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, is the consulting doctor. Dr Vinekar told Deccan Chronicle, "The couple has been visiting since the first month of pregnancy. The entire delivery process went smooth. All three are doing well. Both husband and wife are enjoying the moment. There are some tests to be conducted after 36 hours. Depending on the reports, we will discharge them in 2 to 3 days."

The couple requested for privacy and did not speak to media.

"Irom and her husband Desmond welcomed their bundles of joy on Mother's Day. The first twin was born at 9.21.50 am with the birth weight of 2.16 kg and the second twin was born at 9.22.40 am, weighing 2.15 kg. Both the babies and the mother are doing well," said Mr Nitin Nag, Regional Director (South), Cloudnine Group of Hospitals.

Irom ended her fast last year, saying she would enter politics and try to get AFSPA lifted. But she received barely 90 votes and was defeated by Chief Minister Ibobi Singh from Thoubal.