Condemning the arrest of peasant leader Akhil Gogoi, the members of Krishak Sangram Samiti (KMSS) on Monday protested in Guwahati demanding his unconditional release.
The protesters, who gathered at city’s Chachal area, also demanded release of other arrested KMSS leaders-Dharjya Konwar, Bitu Sonowal, Manash Konwar besides pro-talk ULFA leader Jiten Dutta.
On Tuesday, a special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) sent Akhil to 10-day NIA custody. Akhil was arrested under the new Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
He was first arrested by Assam police on December 12 and later handed over to the NIA where the UAPA charges were slapped on him.
Akhil was booked under the Sections 120 (B), 124 (A), 153 (A), 153 (B) of the IPC and Sections 18, 39 of the Act.
All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) chief adviser Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya on Sunday slammed the ruling BJP government for arresting Akhil and many others who were the part of the anti-CAA protests.
Bhattacharya urged the state government to drop the charges slapped on Akhil and others and release them without further delay.
The Asom Nagarik Samaj, a citizens’ group, on Sunday held a silent sit-in protest in Guwahati to demand the release of Gogoi and others.
Scholar Hiren Gohain, author and journalist Homen Borgohain, poet and critic Harekrishna Deka, singer Sudakshina Sharma, novelist Laxminandan Bora, writer Anima Guha, story writer Apurba Sharma, artist Noni Borpujari, actor Kulada Kumar Bhattacharya, singer Pulak Banerjee, social scientist Apurba Kumar Baruah were among those who attended the protest.