Assam: People’s Leader Akhil Gogoi Finally Granted Bail

Guwahati, March 17, 2020:

Peasant leader Akhil Gogoi, who was jailed for his anti-Citizenship Amendment Act or CAA stance, has been granted bail on Tuesday.

The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) leader was serving his term in the Guwahati Central Jail on various charges since December, 2019. A special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has agreed to release Akhil Gogoi with a payment of Rs 30, 000 as bail amount.

The special court also declined to extend another period of 90 days to the NIA for filing the chargesheet. However, NIA has expressed disappointment with the court’s decision to grant Gogoi bail.

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The NIA said that it will appeal against the court’s decision. It may be mentioned here that Gogoi was arrested in the wake of violent CAA protests in December, 2019. The NIA had slapped charges of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on the KMSS leader and also accused him of having links with Maoists.

Since December 2019, Gogoi has become an icon of resistance not only in Assam but across the country. Students, general public and other civil and social organisations had been constantly staging protests in demand of Gogoi’s release.

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After several protests in the pockets of Assam and the country, Gogoi has finally been granted bail today. The peasant leader’s health had also deteriorated while serving his term in the jail, due to which no stone was left unturned by his well-wishers to get him out.

Recently, popular Assamese singer Manas Robin also raised calls for the release of physically sick Akhil Gogoi, Robin demanded that Akhil be accorded proper treatment due to his failing health in the lock-up.

Gogoi decried the facilities in the jail and lamented that the inmates of the jail are being fed sub-par food which adds to their conundrum inside the jail.

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