Irom Chanu Sharmila produced before Delhi Court
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 06 2015: Irom Chanu Sharmila was produced before the Court of Akash Jain, Metropolitan Magistrate, Patiala House Court, New Delhi in connection with case number 476/02/2012 FIR No.222/2006 Parliament Street Police Station.

Sharmila's matter was listed as item number 40 and her statement was recorded around 11.30 am.

She wanted to explain her struggle to the Magistrate but the Magistrate wanted to confine her only to "relevant questions." She was asked to explain herself in a press conference.

An emotionally charged Sharmila wept in the Court.

Senior Advocate VK Ohri, Advocate Divya Sunderajan and Advocate Kezhosano Kikhi assisting her, persuaded her and helped her in recording the statement.

Sharmila stated before the Magistrate that she was picked up by the police on the night of 6 October 2006 because the Government was concerned that national and international media have started taking interest in her struggle.

According to a press note issued by Babloo Loitongbam, Executive Director of Human Rights Alert, Sharmila admitted that she denied medical attention but also clarified that she did not need it as her health was fine at that point of time, after all she have been on hunger strike since the year 2000, she asserted.

She also recorded that her struggle is to demand the repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) or its total removal from Manipur.

She stated that the application of this Act has resulted in untold sufferings on the Manipuri people and "hundreds of women have been raped." "But the armed forces indulging in these criminal acts cannot be prosecuted because they are protected by the Armed Forces Special Powers Act", she said.

The hearing on the case will continue on Wednesday in the same Court and one defend witness will be examined.

Comment