Irom Sharmila appears in Delhi Court again; defence witnessed cross examined
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 07 2015: Irom Chanu Sharmila was produced before the Metropolitan Magistrate, at the Patiala House Court, New Delhi in connection with the case number 476/02/2012 FIR No.222/2006 Parliament Street Police Station again on Wednesday.

Babloo Loitongbam, Executive Director of Human Rights Alert also deposed before the Magistrate as the only defence witness and he was cross examined by the Public Prosecutor.

Babloo Loitongbam stated that he has known Irom Sharmila for more than 20 years for her social and political activism.

He stated that he came to Delhi along with Sharmila on October 4, October 2006 as she wanted to take her struggle to repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 to Delhi and generate national interest.

On arrival, they went to Gandhi Samadhi to pay respect.

In the evening they continued the dharna at Jantar Mantar.

They sought an appointment with the then Prime Minister and the Home Minister.

On the evening of October 6, 2006 some people came to check her health condition, but she told them that she does not need it, the defence witness told the court.

Babloo Loitongbam said that later a group of police personnel cordoned off the area, her supporters surrounded her but the police dispersed the supporters by use of illegal force in violation of the fundamental rights of peaceful assembly and protest.

Thereafter Sharmila was arrested under a false charge under sec.

309 of IPC i.e.attempt to commit suicide.

During cross-examination by the Additional Public Prosecutor, Babloo firmly denied the suggestion that Sharmila was on a fast unto death on that particular day.

He explained that she was fasting until the Armed Forces Special Powers Act was repealed.

There is an attempt to falsely represent her struggle by the state, he stated.

On Tuesday morining, eminent social activist Medha Patkar met her in the Court and suggested that a mass movement be started along with the women street vendors of Manipur.

In the evening of the same day, another eminent activist Swami Agnivesh visited her in Tikendrajit Bhawan and had an hour long conversation, he assured her all support and solidarity.

The court has now fixed December 15 and 16 for the date of final hearing on the case.

NEFIS members meet Sharmila .

Meanwhile, activists from North East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) met Irom Sharmila and expressed their solidarity with her struggle against Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) .

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