RTI activist Akhil Gogoi, who was arrested from Guwahati Press Club, was remanded to three days’ police custody. He was arrested for criminal offences for damaging 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, carrying weapons to destroy public property etc. during a protest march against eviction drive of the state government.
The police, which produced the RTI activist in Kamrup CJM court amidst heavy security, also sought his remand in order to probe his alleged link with the Maoist activities.
Meanwhile, KMSS has called for 12-hour Assam bandh on Saturday in protest against the arrest of the RTI activist and his associates.
The arrest of Mr Gogoi has surcharged the atmosphere all across the state as a large number of people came out and blocked the national highways in protest. Hundreds of long distance vehicles were stranded along the national highways as protester refused to lift the blockade unless their leader is released. The Assam government is also considering slapping NSA on him. Though, it was yet to be announced, as the police was tight-lipped about its future course of action.
In what looked a pre-planned move, the Assam police on Friday cordoned off the Guwahati Press Club and senior police officers entered the conference hall and whisked away Mr Gogoi who was addressing a press conference. Though, journalists requested the police and magistrate on duty to allow him to complete the press conference but they refused to oblige saying they have instruction to arrest him.
Meanwhile, AGP leader and former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta here on Friday suspected the involvement of third force in arson and vandalism during the protest demonstration of the RTI activists.