Leader of Opposition in Assam Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, has demanded the release of peasant leader Akhil Gogoi and his associates as well as legislator Aminul Islam at the earliest, citing the Supreme Court directive of releasing detainees on bail or parole in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Saikia, in a letter to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, urged his intervention in ensuring release of these detainees.
The Congress leader alleged that Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) leader Akhil Gogoi and his associates Dharjya Konwar, Manas Konwar and Bitu Sonowal have been put behind bars for their participating in the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
Pointing that Gogoi has been imprisoned for over 140 days now, Saikia added that Gogoi was maintaining ill health himself, his aging mother is awaiting her son’s return for undergoing an operation and his minor son was being denied the company of his father.
Saikia also pointed that the KMSS leaders were being re-arrested in different cases the moment they procure bail in one case, while the investigating agencies have also failed to file charge-sheet in any of the case.
In case of Aminul Islam, who is an MLA of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), Saikia said the presence of the elected representative is essential in the constituency in this crucial time and claimed that numerous instances of violence has erupted in Islam’s Dhing constituency due to prevailing confusions among the people.
While stating that anyone found working against the law has to be punished, he alleged that many other legislators had made inflammatory remarks but were spared from any punitive action.
Saikia questioned whether the arrest of Islam was owing to the fact that he was an Opposition MLA and also had an anti-CAA stance.
Saikia requested the chief minister to order release of critics and opposition leaders in this time of a pandemic, and in line with the Supreme Court directive of release of such detainees who will not flee the country.
