Coutinho sent to judicial custody
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 26 2014 : Indian born British citizen Desmond Coutinho has been sent to judicial custody till January 9 for allegedly creating nuisance at JNIMS security ward where anti-AFSPA campaigner Irom Chanu Sharmila is currently lodged.

It is said that Coutinho got permission from JMIC Im-phal East to meet Sharmila from 11 am to 12.30 pm yesterday.

However he turned up at around 5 am, six hours early from the time given by the Court.

Although, hospital security asked the 52-year-old British citizen to come at 11 am, he not only tried to forcefully enter the security ward but also shouted at security and medical staff using abusive words, hospital sources said.

Later, police were called and Coutinho was detained at hospital police picket as he was creating nuisance and disturbing peace in the hospital.

After hearing this news, a large number of Sharmila Kanba Lup (SAKAL) arrived at the hospital and tried to storm the police picket.

However, with the arrival of police reinforcement at the scene, the agitated womenfolk were somehow mollified.

Later, Desmond was formally arrested after JNIMS medical staff lodged a complaint against him for creating nuisance at the hospital.

He was charged under Section 186/290 and 291 of IPC and remanded to judicial custody till January 9 by the duty Magistrate as he could not furnish the surety bond of Rs 30,000 .

It may be mentioned that the incident happened just four days after Coutinho was beaten up by women activists of SAKAL and other rights activities outside Lamphelpat Court complex on December 22 on the day when Shamila was produced before the Court of JMIC Imphal East for the charge hearing filed against her by the concerned police station for allegedly trying to commit suicide.

Coutinho filed a petition pleading the Court to grant him permission to meet Shar-mila the same day.

Later, the Court gave him the permission of meeting the marathon hunger striker from 11 am to 12.30 pm yesterday.

Speaking to reporters at JNIMS complex, SAKAL Co-Convenor Momon said that the Government must take appropriate action against Coutinho as he broke the law and showed disrespect not only to the people of the State but also to the State Government.

She also urged the Court not to grant similar permission to Countinho in future.

Momon added that there is strong suspicion that the Government of India might have sent him to break 14-year-long Sharmila's hunger strike.

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