KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi arrested in Guwahati

Guwahati, June 24, 2011 (PTI)





Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) leader Akhil Gogoi, accused of leading the recent violent protests in the city that claimed three lives, was arrested on Friday at the Press Club in Guwahati, police said.



It was not immediately known under what section he was arrested though there reports of him were being taken into custody under the National Security Act (NSA).



The KMSS Secretary was arrested when he was addressing a press conference. Mr. Gogoi has been accused of leading violent KMSS activists, in Dispur area here on Wednesday in which three persons were killed and over 50 injured.



Altogether 10 cases, including four non-bailable ones, were registered against the KMSS leader on Thursday.



The Assam Government has ordered an inquiry by Additional Chief Secretary Surajit Mitra into the clash.



Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had condemned the incident and said the rally was held on the issue of eviction of encroachers but the government had already declared that those who had been residing on government land in Guwahati city area for more than 15 years would be given land rights.



As a large posse of police arrived at the Press Club to arrest the KMSS leader, Mr. Gogoi continued to speak to reporters alleging that the police had attacked "innocent and peaceful protestors who were democratically demonstrating against their eviction from their homes on Wednesday".



Mr. Gogoi urged the people of the State to come out peacefully to protest his arrest and along with his supporters .



The KMSS leader was taken Pan Bazar police station with the administration taking all security measures to avert any untoward incident following his arrest. Movement of vehicles was diverted in the busy area, police said.



Guwahati city police on behalf of the Metro administration had filed a case against Mr. Gogoi for allegedly instigating his supporters to indulge in violence.



The Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) also registered a case against the KMSS leader for setting ablaze three of their buses, police said.



Several of the injured also filed cases, including non-bailable ones, against Mr. Gogoi who had recently brought anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare to Guwahati to address a public rally.



The cases registered related to sections 143, 144, 147, 149, 333, 353, 427 and 436 of IPC with the charges including damage to public property, interference in the working of government officials on duty, physically harming government officials, illegally organising meetings, engaging in public fight, accomplishing crime through accomplices and carrying weapons to destroy public property.



According to police, the protest had turned violent when people armed with sticks and stones attacked security forces and targeted public and private transport.



Three persons, including a nine-year old boy, were killed and above 50 injured, besides 170 vehicles damaged by the irate demonstrators, who had come from different areas of the Guwahati to protest against the eviction drive, they said.



Taking a serious view of the violence, the State government had warned that the incident would not be taken lightly and the persons responsible for the violence would be booked under the law.



Chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday ordered a probe into the violent incident stating, "We have ordered an inquiry into the violence and will take necessary action against those guilty or those involved in the vandalism".



State government spokesperson and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters "Video footage of the rampage would be examined and necessary action taken as per law".



The government would also initiate action against errant police and civil officials for failing to control the violence.



Taking a serious view of the violence, the State government had warned that the incident would not be taken lightly and the persons responsible for the violence would be booked under the law.


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