Court rules against Irom Sharmila
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 04 2014: Even as the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal East has today pronounced that there is prima facie evidence of attempt to suicide against Irom Chanu Sharmila, the marathon hunger striker is set to move the case to a higher Court.

The Court pronounced its judgement today after hearings on the said case began on May 13 and concluded on May 24 .

Pronouncing that there is prima-facie evidence of attempt to commit suicide against Sharmila, the Court decreed that prosecution witnesses would be examined on June 7 .

Talking to reporters after today's hearing, Sharmila rejected the allegation of attempt to suicide levelled against her.

The anti-AFSPA campaigner claimed that she has been simply staging a hunger strike against a draconian law which provides sweeping powers to security forces to arrest or shoot a person on mere suspicion.

Sharmila further said that she would move the case to a higher Court.

Sharmila's Counsel Khaidem Mani had presented his arguments before the Court in earlier hearings that Sharmila had never attempted suicide but simply campaigned for Right to Life and Liberty mentioned in the Article 21 of the Constitution.

Khaidem Mani had told the Court that repeal of AFSPA is a wish for the people of the whole North East States and Sharmila has been campaining in this regard as a citizen of this country.

On the otherhand, it has been an argument of the prosecution that Sharmila has to be nose-fed as she has been refusing to eat and drink anything since year 2000 .

It may be mentioned that Sharmila began her marathon campaign on November 5, 2000 after Assam Rifles personnel mowed down 10 civilians at Malom Lamkhai in Imphal West district.

For the first time, police filed chargesheet against her this year only though she has been accused under Section 309 of IPC.

Although, she was released with the expiry her jail term every year, Sharmila has been continuing her stir.

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