IMPHAL, Oct 6 - Irom Sharmila Chanu was produced before the Court of Akash Jain, Metropolitan Magistrate, Patiala House Court, New Delhi in connection with a case (No. 476/02/2012, FIR No. 222/2006) filed with the Parliament Street Police Station. Her matter was listed as item No. 40 and her statement was recorded around 11.30 am.
Sharmila wanted to explain her struggle to the Magistrate, but the Magistrate wanted to confine herself only to the relevant questions. She was asked to explain herself in a press conference, and not in the court.
Senior Advocate VK Ohri, Advocate Divya Sunderajan and Advocate Kezhosano Kikhi assisted her.
Sharmila stated before the Magistrate that she was picked up by the police on the night of October 6, 2006 because the Government was concerned that national and international media might start taking interest in her struggle. She admitted that she had denied medical attention, but also clarified that she did not need it as her health was fine at that point of time.
She also recorded that her struggle is to demand the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act or its total removal from Manipur. She stated that the application of this Act has resulted in untold suffering on the Manipuri people and hundreds of women have been raped. But the armed forces personnel indulging in these criminal acts cannot be prosecuted because they are protected by the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
The case will be heard again on October 7.
IMPHAL, Oct 6 - Irom Sharmila Chanu was produced before the Court of Akash Jain, Metropolitan Magistrate, Patiala House Court, New Delhi in connection with a case (No. 476/02/2012, FIR No. 222/2006) filed with the Parliament Street Police Station. Her matter was listed as item No. 40 and her statement was recorded around 11.30 am.
Sharmila wanted to explain her struggle to the Magistrate, but the Magistrate wanted to confine herself only to the relevant questions. She was asked to explain herself in a press conference, and not in the court.
Senior Advocate VK Ohri, Advocate Divya Sunderajan and Advocate Kezhosano Kikhi assisted her.
Sharmila stated before the Magistrate that she was picked up by the police on the night of October 6, 2006 because the Government was concerned that national and international media might start taking interest in her struggle. She admitted that she had denied medical attention, but also clarified that she did not need it as her health was fine at that point of time.
She also recorded that her struggle is to demand the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act or its total removal from Manipur. She stated that the application of this Act has resulted in untold suffering on the Manipuri people and hundreds of women have been raped. But the armed forces personnel indulging in these criminal acts cannot be prosecuted because they are protected by the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
The case will be heard again on October 7.
