A local court has decided that a 19-year-old Assam student who has been imprisoned for two months for allegedly supporting the banned United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) will take her exams next week under police surveillance.
On May 18, Barshashree Buragohian was arrested and charged under the harsh Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for writing, “Akou korim rashtra droh [will rebel against the nation again].”
Her lawyer stated that Buragohian wrote to the court, which granted her permission to appear in exams on Thursday. The case received very little attention until Buragohain’s parents petitioned Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the police to allow her to take her exams.
Sarma stated on Thursday that she would have joined ULFA-I if she had not been arrested. “If the girl’s parents and she herself declared that she would not join the outfit, she can be released. But if she says she will wage war against the country, the law will take its course,” Sarma said.
The state government and police have come under scrutiny on social media for arresting the student for what many assumed was only for writing a poem.
Buragohain was not arrested for writing poems, “But when someone writes that she wants to join ULFA-I or encourage others to do so, it becomes a problem. That is why she has been arrested. So, instead of joining ULFA, you better stay in jail.” stated Assam Police Chief Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta on Wednesday.
Buragohain also stated on Facebook that she “would rebel against the nation a thousand times for the sake of freedom.” For 43 years, the banned ULFA-I has advocated for an independent Assam.