Guwahati: The Assam Unit of National Students Union of India in a press release issued on Tuesday, vehemently condemned the Assam Government’s inhuman behaviour towards Akhil Gogoi and the other anti-CAA prisoners causing situation for Covid19 infection in them and demanded the immediate release of Akhil Gogoi, Bittu Sonowal, Manas Konwar, and other political prisoners.
“Many anti-CAA protestors asserting their democratic right to protest were arbitrarily arrested have been in jail for the past six months. Continuous detention of social activist Akhil Gogoi, through repeated arrest since December 12, 2019, is a major concern for people who believes in ‘Rule of Law’ which is the soul of Indian Democracy,” the press release read.
The Assam NSUI accused the government of trying to dominate the democratic and Anti-CAA voices.
“It is a matter of great concern to the people of Assam that a number of students, including Devangana Kalita who led the anti-CAA protest in Delhi, have faced the same difficult situation,” the release read.
They also blasted the Government for its treatment of Akhil Gogoi, Bittu Sonowal, and Manas Konwar citing total injustice to the family members of the leaders and also causing severe anxiety among politically concerned people regarding life and health of the activists.
NSUI mentioned the fact that even in prison the activists organised the entire prison into collective action for the rights of the prisoners. As many as 1,200 inmates of Assam’s Guwahati Central Jail on 25-26th June resorted to a hunger strike demanding the jail authorities to follow COVID-19 protocol for the inmates, and also to allow them to speak to their lawyers and families and ensure hygienic jail condition and release under-trials including Akhil Gogoi. The student wing stated that the jail authorities gave assurances to fulfill these demands but the government chose to ignore these basic human rights demands.
The Assam NSUI extended its support to Akhil Gogoi and all the anti-CAA protestors and also demanded the Assam Government to immediately release Akhil Gogoi, Bittu Sonowal, Dhaijjya Konwar, Manash Konwar, and all the other anti-CAA protestors and also ensure their safety by meeting their demands till they are in custody.