CAA Row: After Akhil Gogoi, Activist Manjit Mahanta Accused of "Conspiring" against Govt

Tinsukia, March 7, 2020:

After the imprisonment of popular peasant leader Akhil Gogoi, the powers-that-be seems to have their sights trained on another prominent personality who led protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (or CAA). Today, Manjit Mahanta, prominent journalist, was summoned to Tinsukia Sadar Police Station, where several charges have been slapped against him, including "conspiracy to commit certain offences against the State."

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After a rally against the CAA in Tinsukia district, the local authorities had registered an FIR against the leader at the Tinsukia Police station, where Mahanta was asked to report.

Addressing mediapersons, Mahanta said, "They had summoned me here after an FIR. I and Ajit Bhuyan had organized a rally at Panitola. They authorities had registered an FIR against me, and summoned me here. There is a lot of mix-up. I took affront to IPC 353, that entails assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty. I have neither hindered any Government officials, nor have I assaulted anyone". Mahanta also informed the media that charges have been slapped against him under Section 121A of the IPC, that entails "conspiring" against the State.

Manjit Mahanta said that the anti-CAA brigade is fighting preserve the sanctity of the Constitution, so the question of conspiring to commit certain offences against the State does not arise.

"When people like us are slapped with such allegations, we feel ashamed. Can the Government really stoop so low", Mahanta questioned.

Mahanta, speaking to the people from the police station premises, urged the people to continue a non-violent movement against the CAA. Further, he alleged that the ruling BJP is trampling all over the Constitution, and urged the people to resist the imposition of the CAA unitedly.