Charged with attempting to commit suicide, Irom Sharmila tells Court, 'I value life'
Source: The Sangai Express / Ninglun Hanghal

New Delhi, March 04 2013: Activist Irom Sharmila Chanu, who was today charged with attempting suicide for her fast unto death here in 2006 while demanding repeal of the controversial AFSPA, said she is following Mahatma Gandhi's principle of non-violence and should not be "discriminated" against.

Metropolitan Magistrate (MM) Akash Jain framed charges against Sharmila under section 309 (attempting to commit suicide) of the IPC after she refused to plead guilty, saying that her protest was a non-violent.

Amid protest outside the Court premises, Sharmila appeared before the Judge and said, "I do not want to commit suicide.

Mine is only a non-violent protest.

It is my demand to live as a human being" .

She also told the Court, "I love life.

I do not want to take my life but I want justice and peace" .

The Magistrate, however, told her that she has been accused of attempting to commit suicide and prima facie the charge is there against her.

Charged with attempting to commit suicide, Irom Sharmila tells Court, 'I value life'

"I respect you but the law of the land does not permit you to take your life," the Judge said, asking her counsel to make her understand the process.

Putting her on trial, the Court has now listed the matter for May 22 for recording of prosecution evidence in the case relating to her fast until death which started on October 4, 2006 at Jantar Mantar.

Defense counsel, Svet Lana, Madhulika and Junoo Rahman on behalf of Sharmila pleaded before the Judge Akash Jain.

The main plea was to consider the non violent protest, bail plea and that on health grounds she may not be required to be produced in person any more.

The three Defense counsels who are working with Human Rights Law Network also filed an application to allow Sharmila to meet the media and her supporters be allowed to meet her at Manipur Tikendrajit House where she is currently lodged.

The defense counsels also placed before the Judge that Sharmila's struggle is for the people of Manipur that has witnessed several violation of human rights under AFSPA.

That Sharmila had been kept in jail for more than 6 years and that she had never resisted feeding.

Judge Akash Jain pronounced that, on October 4, 2006 Sharmila was fasting on Parliament Street (Jantar Mantar) from 3 pm to 11 pm.

Under such circumstances, her refusal for medical treatment can cause death, which amounts to committing an offence.

Within this cognizance, this ( MM) court booked her under section 309 of the IPC.

In her reply to the Judge Sharmila said "I have no intention to commit suicide, I am a human being and want to live".

On being asked whether she would plead guilty, Sharmila responded that she is not guilty.

While Sharmila made her point on non violence, a follower of Mahatma Gandhi, the impact on continued imposition of AFSPA in Manipur, Judge Jain responded that though he respects her mind and non violence , she has to abide by the Law of the Land.

Defense Counsel Svet Lana told media persons that "She never protested against tube feeding, she is only manifesting her protest by not consuming food orally.

She has not pleaded guilty.

The case will follow normal proceeding.

The matter is under trial and the next hearing is on May 22" .

All the while Sharmila was in the court today, she was accompanied by State police and medical team.

Her friend Desmond Coutinho was beside her all along.

Speaking to media when she was permitted for 5 minutes in the court premises Sharmila reasserted that she values life, that she never intends to commit suicide.

She positively affirmed that some day or the other, the Government will have to listen to her, stating that a lot will also depend on the people's movement for removal of AFSPA.

She insisted, in a democracy the army has to listen to the Government and not the other way round, where Army ruled over an elected Government ( as in Manipur) .

On being asked what is her response on being denied permission to meet even her family and friends, Sharmila said "I don't know why the Government is so scare to let me enjoy my basic fundamental rights.

I want them (Govt) to see me as a human being" .

Supporters and student were allowed to meet their IconSharmila, the symbol of Democarcy and non violence at Manipur Tikendrajit house later in the evening.

Sharmila was flown in to Delhi from Manipur last evening to appear before a court here which today framed charges under section 309 (attempting to commit suicide) of the IPC against her after she refused to plead guilty, saying that hers was a non-violent protest.

She told reporters that she has been protesting for past nearly 12 years for the society and is demanding the rights of a democratic citizen.