Akhil Gogoi to be Produced in NIA Court on April 23, New Case Registered

Dibrugarh, April 17, 2020:

Akhil Gogoi, leader of Assam peasant organisation Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), will once again be presented at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) court in Guwahati after yet another case has been registered against the popular activist. This time, the date of Akhil's production at the Court has been set as April 23.

ALSO READ: Gauhati High Court Directs Assam Police to Release Detention Camps Inmates amid Corona Crisis

Yet another case (1/2020) has been registered at the NIA Court against Akhil Gogoi. The Case no. 289/19 registered at the Chabua Police station on the basis of which he is being imprisoned at the Dibrugarh Police Station, has now been transferred to the NIA. The latest case against the peasant leader was registered on April 16, and he has now been summoned to the NIA Court.

It may be mentioned here Gogoi was granted bail by a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on March 17 in a case which branded him as a ‘Maoist’ and for which he was arrested on December 16. The NIA was not able to file a charge sheet within the period of the 90 days of Gogoi’s stay in jail. However, despite getting the bail, Gogoi was stuck at the Guwahati Central Jail. He was then taken by Sivasagar police on March 19 and kept under four-day police custody.

Gogoi's incarceration in the midst of the coronavirus virus pandemic that is sweeping the world leaving death and destruction in its wale has been branded as a "political ploy" by the activist's supporters.

The Gauhati high court on Tuesday, April 7, issued an interim stay order on the default bail which was granted to peasant leader Akhil Gogoi and founder-secretary of the Assam-based peasant organisation Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) in the National Investigation Agency (NIA)-related case that charged him of being a ‘Maoist’.

However, he still finds himself entangled in a web as he is being taken from one jail to another, although any of the charges are yet to stick. Several have marvelled at the almost comical turn of events, with fingers being raised at the administration for its “vindictiveness”.

ALSO READ: Assam Congress Demands Action against Foreigners Tribunal Member for “Objectionable” Comment on Minority Community

Dr Navanil Barua, a senior neurosurgeon from Assam, opines that this ever-continuing process of filing different cases against the peasant leader reeks of a conspiracy. “Akhil Gogoi, whether he is guilty is not for me to judge, but something smells fishy here. Not a chargesheet has been given. He was arrested in Sibasagar. If it was an old FIR, why did they wait so long to file a case against the man? The police accountability commission should answer this — why have these cases been pending? The High Court must seek answers from the Assam Government — if these cases are indeed genuine or bogus.”

Despite the 21-day lockdown that has kept 1.3 billion Indians at home, the clamour for the release of Assam’s foremost peasant leader leader Akhil Gogoi refuses to die down. On April 10, people across Assam, despite staying indoors amid the lockdown, once again raised their voices to demand the immediate and unconditional release of Gogoi and others who led the protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

Support Inside Northeast (InsideNE), an independent media platform that focuses on Citizen-centric stories from Northeast India that are surprising, inspiring, cinematic and emotionally relevant.