GUWAHATI: Two jailed Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) leaders, Dhairjya Konwar and Bitu Sonowal have tested positive for coronavirus and have been admitted to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital on Thursday.
Konwar, who is the general secretary of KMSS, and Sonowal, the president of the students wing of KMSS, have been serving a sentence at the Guwahati Central Jail for nearly seven months, for their involvement in the movement against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Assam.
GMCH superintendent Abhjijit Sarma told the media that following information from the Kamrup Metro district administration about the development, a team was sent to the Guwahati Central Jail where they were lodged, to bring them to MMC Hospital in the wee hours of Thursday.
“However, since there were no vacant cabins there, they were shifted to GMCH this morning. We do not have cabins at GMCH but have arranged a five-bed room for their stay and treatment,” Sarma said.
The two leaders had reportedly complained that they did not get cabins at MMCH and had also alleged that many under-trial prisoners at the Central Jail might also be infected with the virus in the absence of physical distancing norms.
“MMCH has two cabins for accommodation and treatment of undertrial prisoners. However, since many paramedics, doctors and other hospital staff have been infected (in the line of duty), rooms have been allotted to them,” Sarma said.
The GMCH further said that two policemen donning personal protective equipment (PPE) would be guarding the two leaders round the clock.
Reportedly, KMSS adviser Akhil Gogoi, who was booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and imprisoned during the movement against CAA in December last year, is not keeping well, even as details on his current health status are awaited.