Hearing for Burmese fighters tomorrow

Kolkata, Apr 18 (UNI) Altogether 34 Burmese freedom fighters, lodged in Presidency Correctional Home, were produced before the city special Sessions Court Judge here today.

However, the case could not proceed as the prosecutor was unable to produce the witness and required evidence.

Counsel for the prisoners, Sidharth Aggarwal, told UNI the hearing had been fixed for tomorrow following prosecution's plea.

Special Sessions Judge Asim Kumar Roy granted the plea and fixed the hearing tomorrow.

The Solidarity Committee for Burma's Freedom Fighter's (SCBFF) had earlier sensitised the West Bengal government of the plight of the 34 Myanmarese prisoners here and had moved court seeking justice.

The committee was led by renowned freedom fighter and former presidential candidate Col (Dr) Lakshmi Sehgal.

Renowned human rights lawyer Nandita Haskar, who is also a member on the committee, said it had been fighting for basic rights of these people, arrested on false charges.

The 34 Burmese nationals were arrested by the Indian military intelligence in February 1998 on charges of spying for the Chinese government.

''We have failed to understand why these people were arrested when India had supported Arakan and Karen movement in Myanmar, against the military repression in the country,'' Ms Haskar said.

These Arakans and Karens were fighting against the military dictatorship in Myanmar with the support from Indian military but when the Indian policy towards the country changed, these people were arrested and sent to jail in Andaman and Nicobar islands, the committee alleged.

She stated that while India felicitated Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of Burmese Prime Minister U Nu, with the country's highest civilan Jawaharlal Nehru award for International Understanding, these few freedom fighters were denied even the basic amenities.

''They are even denied soap, toothpaste and food,''the committee alleged. The term 'terrorist' or 'gun runner' used for these prisoners was wrong and they should be given the status of political prisoners.'' The state government had passed an order on December 15, 2006 directing the Court to hold the trial inside the jail, which was withdrawn following protests from various intellectuals.

UNI