In a major development, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) leader Akhil Gogoi has been released from National Security Act (NSA) charges on Thursday.
As per the hearing at the Gauhati High Court on Thursday, the firebrand peasant leader has been issued an order releasing from the charges of NSA.
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Gogoi was booked under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) in connection with several cases lodged against him at various police stations of Assam and had been under trial since September.
Gogoi was booked under NSA for allegedly instigating common people to wage war against the Nation and also delivering ‘hate speech’ tantamount to disturbing communal harmony in the State.
Earlier, sedition charges against the peasant leader was approved and his detention order passed for 12 months by the State Governor.
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The State Government had in October formed the advisory board headed by retired Gauhati High Court Judge PG Agarwal to investigate if there were strong reasons to keep Akhil Gogoi detained under NSA. Usually arrests made under NSA are confirmed by the Government based on recommendations of advisory board consisting of former or current High Court judges.
Akhil Gogoi was arrested on September 13 last on sedition charges by the Dibrugarh Police after he allegedly asked people to take up AK-47 if they want to save the Assamese community.
In a public meeting at Moran in eastern Assam, Gogoi allegedly said if the BJP-led State Government grants citizenship to the Hindu Bangladeshis, the people of Assam might have to ‘put down the hengdang and take up AK-47 for protecting the community’.
Since then he was lodged at the Dibrugarh jail.
Earlier, Amnesty International has demanded the release of Akhil Gogoi, stating that his detention under the National Security Act was a ‘clear attempt at subverting’ regular criminal justice safeguards and keeping him in detention without charge or trial.