Dimapur, Nov 23 (MExN): Dr Moangwati today made his first court appearance after he was shot at on May 27, 2004. Public Prosecutor Khesheli Chishi took over the court session and began recording the statement of Dr Wati. The doctor, who served the public for more than 9 years, related the attempted murder on him as inquired by the Prosecutor in presence of the entire court. “On that day, someone shot at me from behind the right side and the next moment I collapsed. Before losing my consciousness, I heard two more shots which at that time, I did not know it went inside my body”, said Dr. Wati.
During the trial, he was asked to identify the four accused and one Kaiho who was released earlier for lack of evidence against him.
Dr. Wati could not identify any of the four accused except Kaiho whom he knew as a friend. “I as a doctor, I look after many patients from across the State. I want to clarify the statement that unknowingly I might have come across or encountered the accused during my service as a doctor or as a person”, Dr Wati told the court. It may be mentioned that the Defence council was appointed by the government to assist the court proceedings. The Dr. Maongwati Aier case has been in trial as State versus the accused since April 2005. In today’s court hearing of Dr Maongwati Aier’s attempted murder case, the alleged four accused were given time to present their Defence Witness for Examination of the Accused under Section 313 of Criminal Procedure Code for the next hearing on December 8.
Dr Wati appeared in the court for the first time after the ‘incident’ in the ADC’s (Judicial) Court today. Wednesday’s court appearance was the first chance for many people to see the victim and the accused together since the attempted assassination on May 27, 2004.
Inside the court were supporters of Dr Wati from civil societies. People outside the court clamoured to get in. Attired in light colored clothes and in a wheelchair, Dr Wati was accompanied by his wife and family members in today’s court hearing. The courtroom was filled with soft hue and cry as Dr. Wati gave his statement to the court. The building was guarded by special police force as the accused were bought into the court.
