Sharmila sticks to her words, refutes Ibobi
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 28, 2014:
Anti-AFSPA campaigner Irom Chanu Sharmila has reiterated that Chief Minister Okram Ibobi had persuaded her to join the Congress during his recent visit to the JNIMS Security Ward on March 4. Earlier, CM Ibobi had refuted Sharmila's claim saying that he did not ask even his wife and children to join his own Congress Party.
Talking to media persons while she was being brought before the Judicial Magistrate, Imphal East at Lamphelpat here today, Sharmila said that Ibobi did make his offer to her "to join the Congress Party so as to make efforts collectively to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA)" while visiting her at the JNIMS Security Ward at around 10 am on March 4. She further said that CM Ibobi is normally accompanied by media persons and a large number of officials and security guards while attending even a tree plantation programme, but he came stealthily with just two/three persons to meet her at the JNIMS Security Ward.
Ibobi's refutation is just his face saver and he told "lies" to the media just to conceal the ugly fact, Sharmila said in a lamenting tone.
Further, she decried the State Government for failing to send her to New Delhi to appear before the Patiala Court tomorrow in connection with an anti-AFSPA protest held at Janta Mantar few years back.
"I earnestly want to hear the verdict of the Court.
But, Manipur Government has not provided any travel assistance to me citing some fund shortage.
So, I will not be able to appear before the Patiala Court tomorrow", the Iron Lady said decrying the "indifferent attitude" of the State Government over such important legal matters.
Sharmila also enquired if the cheque of Rs.four lakh, which was given as donation to International Committee on Red Cross Society (ICRCS) through the representatives of AMWJU, has reached the ICRCS officials or not.