“It would have been better if you had given me DEATH PENALTY”- #SoniSori writes from Raipur Prison

Translation of Soni Sori’s letter from Raipur Prison on July 28. 2012

Letter in name of Supreme Court, Judge from Raipur Jail

Your Honour ,

Today I am alive , because of your verdict. You gave the order at the right time so that I could be medically treated again. I was very happy during my treatment at AIIMS hospital in New Delhi, but Your Honour , I have to pay for it now. I am being harassed and tortured here, I request you to have mercy on me . Your Honor I am suffering mentally .

1. I am made to sit on the Ground “Naked”

2. I am suffering from Hunger

3. I am frisked in an uncomfortable manner, each part of my body is touched .

4. Labeling me traitor and naxalite they torture me

My clothes, soap, surf have been confiscated and I have been accused for many things.

Your Honour How long will Chhattisgarh government, police administration keep on stripping me naked ? I am an Indian tribal woman! I also feel shame , and I am unable to save my modesty here . The use abusive words and accuse me regarding my modesty. After all what crime I have committed that I am being mentally tortured like this ?

It would have been better if you had given me DEATH PENALTY ,how long should I bear this physical and mental torture . Jail authorities want that I should not speak the truth and send you any information about atrocities committed on me and that I should die bearing their torture in the prsion itself , this is what within the law of Chhattisgarh . My voice seeking justice should remain limited to Chhattisgarh so that the naxalite problem could further aggravate. Your Honour If I have raised my voice for my rights, what wrong have I done ? I am being mentally tortured in various manners today. Is it a crime to fighting against the torture being inflicted on one self ? I don’t have right to live ? Don’t I have a right to give love to the children I have given birth to ? Today I am in a very serious condition. This type of oppression becomes the source for the naxalite problem .

Your Honour, please have mercy on me , and solve my problems , this is my earnest request to you. Else the officials of Raipur prison will definitely give me death. Earlier, I have been given a wrong medicine and my skin has burnt, and I have been enduring that pain also.

Your Honour , Please Have mercy on me .

In end, my obeisance.

Applicant

Soni Sori

28/7/2012