The criminal charges against hunger striker Dr Wayne Kublalsingh was yesterday put off until March next year. Kublalsingh who completed his 75th day without food and water turned up at the Siparia Magistrates Court in a wheelchair on charges of obstruction, assault and resisting arrest which arose during a protest in September last year at the Debe to Mon Desir leg of the highway.
The leader of the Highway Re-route Movement has been confined to his home for weeks as he became weaker and abandoned his strike camp outside the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair. Kublalsingh had to be lifted into court by two HRM members because the newly-refurbished court had no access ramp for wheelchairs. When he appeared before Senior Magistrate Ejenny Espinet his attorney, Lennox Sankersingh, asked for an adjournment.
He said there were certain constitutional matters that were connected to the case and he wanted time for those matters to be addressed. Police prosecutor Sgt Dridgenath Sookraj did not object to the request. However, he informed the magistrate three witnesses were present, including Inspector Anderson Pariman who charged Kublalsingh.
Espinet made a note of the witnesses and agreed to the adjournment. Kublalsingh was told to return to court on March 27 next year. Kublalsingh, who spoke briefly with reporters after his court appearance, said although using the wheelchair looks “very cumbersome I am not suffering at all.”
He extended his gratitude to his supporters and especially thanked President Anthony Carmona, chairman of the Mediation Board of T&T Justice Vasheist Kokaram, Transparency International T&T chairman Deryck Murray, the Project 40 Group, all of whom “are calling for mediation” to resolve the dispute. Kublalsingh said he wanted everyone to know he was “in a very happy place.” However, he said he believed his body was giving up but he remained firm in his purpose.