Leader of Krishak Mukti Sanram Samity and a Right To Information activist Akhil Gogi was arrested on Friday afternoon from Guwahati Press Club while addressing a press conference on charges of 'instigating' violence on the streets near the Assam's capital complex in Dispur on June 22 during a mass agitation against drive to evict illegal settlers from forest land, wetlands and hills in and around Guwahati city.
Police opened fire on the agitating protestors that killed 3 and injured 60.
Sharp reactions were reported from all over Assam as soon as police arrested Akhil from the press club premises within the heart of the city and took him to Panbazar police station.
A large number of KMSS members and his supporters have gathered near the police station demanding release of Akhil even as administration has clamped Section 144 of the IPC to prevent people from gathering in the area.
The administration has registered a Case (No. 1259/11) under various sections of the IPC including143, 144, 147, 149, 333, 353, 427, 436 on charges of illegal assembly, attack on police and government officials, arson, causing damage to public property etc.
The arrest has already sparked reactions from various organisations while KMSS members have resorted to road blockade in various parts Assam.
Several opposition political parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party and All India United Democratic Front have condemned the arrest of Akhil Gogoi who launched a tirade against the ruling Congress government in Assam against rampant corruption as well as depriving indigenous people of land rights.
ULFA backs movement for land rights
Meanwhile, the outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam (anti-talks) have lent its voice in favour of the 'victims' protesting against Assam government's eviction drive to clear forest lands, wetlands and hills in and around Guwahati city.
Even as the Assam government is at the loggerhead with the KMSS, the ULFA faction led by 'commander-in-chief' Paresh Barua has dared the government to evict tea estates owned by big industry houses and illegal Bangladeshi migrants from the land of Assam before evicting 'indigenous' people from the state's land.
In a statement issued by the ULFA's publicity in-charge Arunodoy Dahotiya, the organisation condemned the police action that led to death of three persons on the streets of Guwahati on June 22 while demonstrating against government's eviction drive.
The ULFA stated that Assam Police have become an enemy of the indigenous people of Assam and affirmed its support to the agitation of indigenous people seeking land rights.
"It is regrettable that indigenous people of Assam have to shed blood on the streets demanding their right over land even as the government has allotted about 800 bighas of land at Sonapur near Guwahati to non-Assamese businessmen," the statement said.
