IMPHAL, July 12:
“Only a person condemned to be hanged may be chained, but the police cannot use such barbaric means. Even, UNLF chairman Rk Meghen is not bound in such manner”, MLA L Ibomcha said.
The IFP photo of ILP hunger striker KB Sharma chained to a hospital bed today created waves in Imphal today and it became a hot topic during Zero Hour at the Manipur Legislative Assembly today.
The matter was flagged by the lone Nationalist Congress Party MLA and former Law Secretary Laishom Ibomcha Singh as the Question Hour formally came to an end.
KB Sharma, 72, from Thongju Part-II in Imphal East, who has begun an indefinite hunger strike from July 6 demanding the implementation of Inner Line Permit System in the state, was chained to a hospital bed while doctors at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) administered glucose saline. IFP reporters found him lying on the hospital bed with his left ankle cuffed and again locked with a large chain on his bed.
Opposition MLA L Ibomcha said that according to a Supreme Court directive, a prisoner cannot be held in chains.
“Only a person condemned to be hanged may be chained, but the police cannot use such barbaric means. Even, UNLF chairman Rk Meghen is not bound in such manner”, he said.
He mentioned to the home minister that the chain holding Birahari should be removed and compliance report should be given in the evening session of the House.
Reports say, following the Zero Hour notice the Home Minister Gaikhangam has immediately given instructions to unchain KB Sharma at the JNIMS hospital.
However hospital sources said, the chain on KB Sharma’s ankle was removed following IFP’s publication of the photograph.
Further, the police team guarding KB Sharma was replaced today by a team led by a senior SI of the Porompat PS, besides 3 staff of Sajiwa jail. Earlier, the police team was led by an ASI.
JNIMS hospital sources further said, it turns out that KB Sharma is also a heart patient. Sharma is presently lodged in Bed No 4 of Male Medicine Ward.
JNIMS doctors have administered tablets PROLOMET XL 2500 and CLOPITAB 75 following his heart condition. An injection CANOZOE was also administered following his empty stomach.
