GUWAHATI: North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) convenor and Assam finance minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday that Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) leader Akhil Gogoi was arrested for his alleged links with Maoist forces, not for Gogoi’s stance against Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).
“Akhil Gogoi was arrested not for CAA movement. National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested him for Maoist links. Akhil Gogoi was arrested for inviting Maoist or terrorist forces to Assam. His arrest has no connection with anti-CAA movement,” said Sarma after Akhil Gogoi’s bail plea was rejected by Gauhati High Court on Thursday.
“I have no right to comment on whether Akhil Gogoi is innocent or not. That will be decided by the court,” Sarma said.
KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi was arrested in December, 2019. The Gauhati High Court on Thursday rejected Mr. Gogoi’s bail plea in a case registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in Guwahati.