TCN News
New Delhi: “The continued incarceration of Akhil Googi is a political ploy to completely silence any voice of dissent in Assam today,” alleged leaders of Bhumi Adhikar Andolan at a press conference in Delhi. A delegation of BAA was not allowed to meet Akhil Gogoi in Dibrugarh jail on November 12, who has been in jail since September 13 under sections 120B, 121, 124, 109, 153, 153A and under National Security Act since September 25.
The press conference was addressed by Hannan Mollah, General Secretary, All India Kisan Sabha, Comrade Roma, Deputy General Secretary, All India Union of Forest Working People and Dr Sunilam, National Convener, National Alliance of People’s Movements at Bhumi Adhikar Andolan office in New Delhi.
Akhil has been targeted primarily because he has been raising the voice of the famers and workers, and his activities are constitutional.
“He has done nothing unconstitutional and trumped up charges are only an indication of the fascistic tendencies of the Assam government, completely in line with the Central government,” said Hannan Mollah.
Dr Sunilam, who led the delegation along with Raju Shetty, Member of Parliament and was denied meeting in jail, alleged that the behavior of the whole Assam government including the district and state government is completely undemocratic and doesn’t go well in a democratic society. The denial of permission on the ground that they need to conduct a background check on him and a sitting Member of Parliament only reflects their ill intent. There was no plausible reason given by anyone on why they couldn’t meet Akhil Gogoi, even though permission was sought on October 8 itself through proper channels.
Roma, who earlier met Akhil in jail on October 31 in Dibrugarh jail said that KMSS has been working to implement the Forest Rights Act and ensure community rights of the tribals and other traditional forest dwelling communities.
KMSS work has openly challenged the feudal forces and the growth of communal forces and this has only threatened them. It is their continued campaign which has riled the government in power and only as a mark of political vindictiveness that he has been put behind the bar. His incarceration under the National Security Act is like what has been done to Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Ravan. This is a clear indication that those fighting for the rights of the marginalized will only face worst kind of oppression under BJP regime, alleged speakers.
Bhumi Adhikar Andolan along with other farmer’s organisations of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Corodiantion Committee has resolved to raise the issue of his release and oppression against KMSS at the Kisan Mukti Sansad from November 20, onwards in Delhi.