IMPHAL, October 15: The number of medical staff who will be accompanying Irom Chanu Sharmila on her New Delhi trip for court appearances on October 30 and 31 is likely to be cut-down as the Home department has failed to sanction the required funds for the journey.
Sources said only Rs 1,24,000 has been sanctioned this time as against the usual Rs 1,38,700 sanctioned for Sharmila`™s earlier trips to the national capital in connection with a case.
The anti-Armed Forces Special Powers Act crusader is supposed to make physical appearances on October 30 and 31 before the court of Metropolitan Magistrate, Patiala House regarding a case FIR No 222/06 under IPC section 309 (attempt to suicide) filed by the Parliament Street Police Station against her. The case was registered against her holding a hunger strike demanding repeal of AFSPA at Jantar Mantar, in 2006.
However, since, the Home department has sanctioned a lesser amount of fund, the jail authorities submitted a written official missive seeking its permission to cut down the number of medical staff accompanying Sharmila.
Sources said the Jail authority had earlier decided to bear the added expenses and asked for reimbursement from the government later, however, after failing to get an assurance from the government on the reimbursement part, it was decided to instead cut down the number of medical staff.
Sources also informed that the jail authorities are waiting for an approval from the Home department to start preparations for the trip including booking of tickets, medical examination of Sharmila and seeking permission from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
During her earlier trips to the national capital, Sharmila was attended to by a three-member medical team led by a doctor of the State Health Services. The medical team has to look after the condition of the hunger striker. Her team also includes two policemen including an officer and two jail staff other than the three medical staff.
The entire expenses for the eight-member team including for their stay at Delhi and flight tickets amount to around Rs 1,38,700, informed the source.
The last time she was produced before a court in New Delhi was in May 28, 2014. Source said Rs 1,38,700 was sanctioned for the trip.
Sharmila was supposed to appear before the court on July 17, however after the State Home department failed to sanction the required fund for the journey, it was deferred to October 30-31, sources said.