Filmmaker Jahnu Barua questions Govt over non-release of Akhil Gogoi despite SC's directive

Reports came on Thursday that Assam’s anti-Citizenship Amendment Act leader Akhil Gogoi has been tested positive for COVID-19 on July 9^th, 2020. Later, he was found negative for Covid19. His result came after two KMSS leaders Bitu Sonowal and Dhanjya Konwar were tested positive for the lethal virus on July 8^th, 2020.

Sonowal and Dhajya were admitted to the Mohendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital (MMCH) for medical assistance. Later, on July 9^th, 2020 morning, both of them were shifted to the  Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).

However, Akhil Gogoi has not been keeping well with sources reveal his suffering from high fever, blood pressure and piles. His health has deteriorated, which has raised concerns regarding the safety given to the prisoners from COVID-19. The inmates had earlier raised voices against discrepancies inside the jails with new inmates not kept in quarantine.

Following the incident, concerned citizens have all raised voices for Akhil Gogoi and the other members of KMSS for their safety. To raise the issue, renowned filmmaker Jahnu Barua has said, "due to COVID-19 other countries have released prison mates on parole due to humanitarian causes. In the same context what has been the logic to keep Akhil Gogoi and other members of KMSS to be kept under the prison. I request the government to treat him well and free him just on grounds of humanity".

Also read: Akhil Gogoi’s Covid-19 case reveal violation of health and human rights

Akhil Gogoi was arrested on 12th Dec 2019, from Jorhat, sent to NIA custody for 10 days in Delhi, and taken back and lodged in Guwahati Central Jail since 26th Dec. KMSS Secretary Dhaijya Konwar and Bittu Sonowal, President of Chatra Mukti Sangram Samiti, a popular democratic student org in Assam, were arrested on 13th Dec and lodged in Guwahati Central Jail. On 7th Jan, both of them were tagged in the same fake UAPA case with Akhil Gogoi and are currently in NIA custody in Kamrup district. Manas Konwar was arrested on 13th Dec, released later and re-arrested from NIA Court, Guwahati, Assam towards the end of January 2020 being slapped with similar charges under UAPA. Earlier, the NIA failed to file a charge sheet within the mandatory 90 days, which warranted Akhil’s release but he was immediately arrested for other cases.

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