IMPHAL, Aug 23 : Irom Chanu Sharmila today urged the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West to drop the charges against her as she has ended her protest fast and is now living like a normal person.
She said this while appearing before the Court for the ongoing trial against her for attempting to commit suicide by fasting on the demand that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act be repealed from the State at BT Park in the first week of March this year.
“Since I have now started eating, the case against me may be dropped,” she pleaded with the Court.
The Court however fixed September 5 as the final date of hearing her case.
Sharmila came to Cheirap Court complex in an ambulance of JNIMS hospital escorted by Imphal West district police personnel as per the directives of the CJM, Imphal West earlier to provide security during her appearance today.
During the proceedings today, Sharmila was questioned whether she intended to commit suicide by fasting since February 29, 2016 at Shahid Minar after her annual release from jail. The Court cited 6 prosecution witnesses including the IO of the case, CMO of Imphal and women vendors to back its questions.
Sharmila admitted that she started fasting on the said date but refuted the claim that she intended to commit suicide. She added that in fact she has stopped fasting and changed her mode of agitation to get AFSPA repealed from the State.
To probings of the Court, Sharmila said she did not allow the CMO of check her health as there was no need but refuted the charge that she tried to commit suicide. She also said that she will not produce any defence witnesses as she has stopped fasting against the continued imposition of the Army Act.
After the examination of Sharmila, the Court fixed September 5 for the final hearing of the case.
Speaking to media persons at Cheirap Court complex after taking due permission from the Court, Sharmila said that she has claimed innocence and added that she is now looking forward to proceeding to Delhi to take her anti-AFSPA protest there with the North East Forum for International Solidarity.
She also appealed to the youngsters across the world to support her quest for justice.
Sharmila said that she is still staying at JNIMS to improve her health and added that she will be going to Ukhrul at the invitation of NPMHR.
