Former People’s National Movement politician Larry Achong yesterday took the stand to defend himself in a three-year-old case, in which he was accused of cursing a Hindu pundit during an anti-smelter meeting.

Achong, the former member of parliament for Point Fortin, denied he used alcohol that day and denied he used any obscenities.

Achong’s decision to take the stand came after the State called its two witnesses to prove their case-the alleged victim, pundit Ganga Ramlakhan, and the investigating officer Sgt Deonarine Basdeo.

The trial was heard before Point Fortin Magistrate Lisa Hinds.

Achong is accused of using an obscenity on November 9, 2006, during a TV6 town meeting dealing with a proposed aluminium smelter the State had planned on building at Chatham Village.

On July 12, 2007, the same charge against Achong was dismissed by Point Fortin Magistrate Suimongal Ramsaran. The State appealed the decision within days and last June, the Appeal Court ordered a fresh trial, ruling that Magistrate Suimongal had erred in law.

Achong was represented yesterday by Senior Counsel Osbourne Charles. The State’s case was prosecuted by Jayanti Lutchmedial.

Achong, a former labour minister, told the court he was invited to the meeting by facilitator Andy Johnson and was with the mayor of Point Fortin, councillors and security officials.

Achong said he knew Ramlakhan because he had retrenched several workers of the Dunlop company years ago and Ramlakhan was one of them.

Achong will call a police corporal in his defence when the trial continues next Tuesday.