Assam: NIA files charge sheet against Akhil Gogoi, KMSS claims foul play

Just one day after getting charged with 3 cases under the Chabua police station, Assam, anti-CAA protester, and peasant leader Akhil Gogoi has been charge-sheeted by NIA. The NIA case no. 13/19 has been lodged against Gogoi along with Dharjya Konwar, Bittu Sonowal, and Manash Konwar on Friday.

On the previous day, 3 other cases 293/2019, 296/2019, 309/2019 were lodged against the peasant leader constituting vandalism, burning the UBI bank, and demolishing the post office.

Meanwhile, the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) has objected to the arrest of Akhil Gogoi has a conspiracy to derail the anti-CAA movement as well to forward other vested agendas by the state. Speaking to Inside Northeast, Mukut Deka KMSS Joint Secretary said, "This is not just about 2021 Assembly elections but regarding the issues which we (KMSS) have been making stands against".

Deka also stated that the recent decisions by the Assam govt including toll gates, oil-fields disinvestment, and drilling and testing of Hydrocarbons at Dibru-Saikhowa National Park area have been possible due to relative absence of Gogoi to raise voice against it. "There's no one to oppose the govt. Look at the toll gates, they have not maintained even proper distance between individual toll gates", said Mukut Deka.

Also read: Assam: Anti CAA protester Akhil Gogoi charged with 3 more cases

Akhil Gogoi has been behind the bars since the last few months post anti- CAA protests that rattled the state. So far, there is no clarity even among the KMSS as to how many cases he has been charged with. "We are hearing that there are two more cases in Tinsukia but we are not sure as yet", said Mukut Deka. As such the KMSS has filed a writ petition in Gauhati High Court to ascertain the number of cases lodged against Gogoi.

On being asked regarding the future of the organisation with its key leaders in prison, Deka remains hopeful of people's participation after the recent furor against Dehing Patkai has brought out how illegal coal mining has been carried out in the state. "The govt has tried to stop our movement by framing sedition charges. We are thinking about strategising our organisation in the coming days", said Deka when asked about the recent developments in Assam.

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