Court keeps ruling on Irom Sharmila reserved till Jan 8
Women folk man handle Coutinho
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 22 2014: The Court of JMIC, Imphal East kept its order on Irom Sharmila Chanu reserved after the anti-AFSPA crusader was produced before the Court today for charge hearing even as angry women activists man handled Desmond Coutinho, who attended the Court proceedings seeking permission to meet Sharmila on Christmas Day.

Coutinho tried to flee from the Court complex when approached by a woman activist to talk things over.

Sharmila was produced in connection with a case under 309 IPC.

The order is being kept reserved till January 8 next year.

Irom Chanu Sharmila was brought to the Court of JMIC Imphal East, Lamphel with heavy security escorts from JNIMS Security ward where she is being currently lodged.

The charge hearing was held for about one and half hour.

Sharmila speaking to the media

Defense counsel, Khaidem Mani submitted his statement regarding the chargesheet filed against Sharmila.

After hearing both the defense and prosecution counsels, Judge of JMIC kept reserved the charge hearing order till January 8 next year.

Meanwhile, a British National (NRI) Desmond Anthony Bellarmini Coutinho sought the Court's permission to meet Sharmila on Christmas Day.

After reading his application, the Court granted him permission to meet Shamila on December 25 from 11 am till 12.30 noon.

After the Court proceeding was over, Sharmila was taken out of the Court escorted by leaders (Emas) of Sharmila Kanba Lup and other women organisations.

Sharmila refused to give any comment when the media persons asked her to give a comment regarding today's Court proceeding.

The scene witnessed an ugly turn when Desmond started running when one of the members of SAKAL approached him for a talk.

The womenfolk gathered at the spot chased him along the Imphal West DC road from the Court complex.

People coming from the opposite direction stopped Desmond.

Desmond was later thrashed by some womenfolk when he could not reply to the query of the womenfolk who asked Desmond why he tried to flee from them.

A team of police personnel who were inside the Court complex came to the rescue of Desmond from the clutch of the irate womenfolk.

The police later took him to Lamphel PS.

Speaking to media persons after the incident Momon, Co-convener of SAKAL said that Desmond, who is alleged to have come out from nowhere, is attempting to divert the democratic struggle of Irom Chanu Sharmila who has been demanding the repeal of Armed Force Special Power Act from the State for the past 14 years.

She said that the democratic struggle of Sharmila and the movement is not for herself but for the people of the State.

She urged all concerned not to divert or dilute the cause and struggle of Sharmila.

At the same time, SAKAL has lodged a complaint to Lamphel PS against Desmond Coutinho for "interfering in Court proceedings and destructing social movement including defamation of Imas' struggle for peace in Manipur" .

SAKAL urged the police to take stringent action in the Court of law and to investigate the identity and antecedent of Desmond.

The Lup also submitted some items which were confiscated from Desmond Coutinho to Lamphel PS.

The confiscated items included cash (Rs 2,730 -27 denomination of Rs 100, and Rs 10; 450 Euro); 10 documents; 4 pens; 1 pencil, 5 pendrives, 1 New Testament Bible, 2 passports, 1 ruler, 1 brochure, 1 muffler and one messenger bag.