Abdurrahman Aman | India Tomorrow
GUWAHATI, MAY 5— Academicians, journalists and civil society leaders here have demanded the release of renowned activist Akhil Gogoi and other anti-CAA protesters from jails as COVID-19 or Coronavirus is spreading in the state.
“Government is believed to have conspired to keep Akhil Gogoi in jail for long times by imposing one case after another only for his disagreement with government decision. Taking the advances of lockdown, government are trying to dismantle united voice raised against controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)”, Abdul Mannan, retired professor of Gauhati University, told India Tomorrow.
He appealed to the Assam government to release peasants’ leader Akhil Gogoi in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak. Gogoi was in the forefront of anti-CAA protests in the state earlier this year.
Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) adviser Gogoi and its three other top leaders have been kept in jail for more than four months on multiple cases registered at various police stations in the state.
Claiming that government is doing injustice by throwing democratic protesters into jail for long times, senior journalist Monjit Mahanta said, “If government has believed that anti-CAA stir could be put into cold storage by throwing Akhil into jail for long time, they are wrong. Anti-CAA movement in Assam will start again after the pandemic ends.”
A delegation of Guwahati-based civil society leaders met Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal last week and urged him to release Akhil Gogoi and all other protesters who were arrested in December last year for their alleged involvement in violence during anti-CAA protests in Assam. They also handed over a memorandum to the chief minister.
“Government enacted CAA. A large portion of the people of Assam, under the leadership of various organizations, had demonstrated protests against this law. The constitution of the country has granted rights to oppose any decision of the government in democratic and non-violent manner. Akhil Gogoi and his colleagues also enjoyed this right. We think, injustice has been done to Akhil Gogoi and his colleagues by keeping them in jail by imposing one case after another upon them only for opposing the government policy and for giving leadership of anti-CAA protest. Here, we want to draw the government attention that Akhil and his colleagues have never challenged the constitution and the sovereignty of the country,” reads the memorandum.
“Deteriorated health condition of Akhil due to staying in jail for more than four months is matter of concern for us. During the time of fear generated by coronavirus, we urge government to release them immediately from jail showing generosity toward Akhil and others who are kept in jail for political discord with government,” said the civil society leaders and cited the March 23 order of the Supreme Court whereby it had directed states and Union Territories to consider release of under-trial prisoners whose offenses if proved will not put them in jail for more than seven years.
Signatories of the memorandum included renowned litterateur Lakshinanda Bora, former Assam DGP Harekrishna Deka, leading intellectual Arup Kumar Datta, Member of Parliament and senior Journalist Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, Biren Singha, Nani Barpujari, Nitya Bora, Munim Bayan, Paresh Malakar, senior Journalist Prahant Rajguru and professor Akhil Ranjan Datta.
Earlier, Opposition leader in the Assam assembly Debabrat Saikia has also appealed to the Chief Minister to take necessary measures for releasing Akhil Gogoi considering the COVID-19 outbreak. He sent a letter to the CM on April 22 demanding Akhil’s release.
After the SC order, the Assam government has released 722 prisoners.
Saikia alleged that the government has taken opposite stand in case of Akhil and termed it as unfortunate.
Meanwhile, various ethnic organizations of the state including Tai Ahom Yub Parishad, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yub-Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), Anusuchit Jati Yub- Chatra Parishd, All Assam Nath-Yogi Students’ Union, Goriya Moriya Deshi Janagosthiya Parishad and other organizations have also appealed to the state government to release all the political prisoners including Akhil Gogoi in view of the COVID-19 outbreak.
“We had worked with Akhil Gogoi but had never seen his involvement in any type of unlawful activities. Akhil has been kept in jail unjustly, unethically and immorally,” AJYCP general secretary Changmai alleged while talking to media.
Akhil’s mother, Priyda Gogoi has repeatedly appealed to the government for release of her son.
“Government has kept him in jail only for reason of raising voice for the people of Assam. In the name of interrogation during lockdown government is conspiring to murder my son,” she charged.
She further said: “I do not know what crime my son has committed. When everyone is worried and asked to stay inside because of coronavirus, he is being taken to one court after another by the government.”
Gogoi’s wife had filed a petition alleging that Gogoi is extremely unwell and alleged that the jail authority has been negligent toward his ailing health.
On May 1, the people of Mariani kindled lights on the gateway of their Namghars and played conch-shell and beat drums wishing good sense of the government for release of Akhil Gogoi along with other peasants’ leaders. Akhil’s mother also lit light in front of her house wishing her son’s release.
Congress MLA from Mariani constituency, Rupjoyti Kurmi said, “government is unethically imposing one case after another upon Akhil. Ignoring people’s demand for KMSS leader’s release, the government has kept him in jail.”
Following the violent protests across the state against the CAA in December last year, Akhil Gogoi was arrested on December 12 on the basis of FIR lodged in Jorhat police station. Later on December 17, he was booked by NIA under stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on basis of FIR lodged against him in Chandmari police station in the city. He was accused of having nexus with Maoists since 2009. Akhil was granted bail by NIA court on March 17 this year as the agency failed to furnish chargesheet in the case within 90 days.
However, he was arrested again in another case registered in Guwahati Crime branch. He has also been booked in other cases registered at Sibsagar police station, Chabua police station, Gauripur police station and Dibrugarh police station.
On the other hand, the Gauhati High Court on April 8 stayed the NIA court order on release of Akhil.
The peasant leader was arrested by Dibrugarh police on April 1 under case no. 289/19 registered against him at Chabua police station.
On 24 April, Akhil was sent to judicial custody till May 13 after he was produced at the NIA court after having been taken to Guwahati from Dibrugarh Jail in case no 13/2019 registered at Chandmari police Station during the nationwide protests against CAA.
