Akhil arrested in Guwahati
From Our Correspondent
GUWAHATI: A day after the government made it clear that it was not going to have any talks with him, leader of Krishak Mukti Sanram Samity (KMSS) and a RTI activist Akhil Gogi was arrested on Friday afternoon from Guwahati Press Club while he was about to address a press conference on charges of ‘instigating’ violence on the streets near the state’s capital complex on June 22 during a mass agitation against drive to evict illegal settlers from forest land, wetlands and hills in and around Guwahati city.
Sharp reactions were reported from all over the state as soon as police arrested Akhil from the Press Club premises within the heart of the city and took him to Panbazar Police station. A large number of KMSS members and his supporters have gathered near the police station demanding release of Akhil even as administration has clamped Section 144 of the IPC to prevent people from gathering in the area.
Meanwhile, the KMSS has called a 12-hour Assam bandh on Saturday to protest the arrest of Akhil. The shutdown will begin at 5am , a release issued by the KMSS said. The administration has registered a Case (No. 1259/11) under various sections of the IPC including143/144/146/147/149/333/339/353/427/436 on charges of illegal assembly, attack on police and government officials, arson, causing damage to public property etc. The arrested ahs already sparked reactions from various organizations all over the state while KMSS members have resorted to road blockade in various parts of the state. Several opposition political parties including the BJP, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) have condemned the arrest of Akhil Gogoi who have launched a tirade against the ruling Congress against rampant corruption as well as depriving indigenous people of land rights etc.