Members of Chatra Mukti Sangram Samiti came out in protests today at Doigrung in Numaligarh demanding the release of jailed peasant leaders Akhil Gogoi, Dharjya Konwar and Bitu Sonowal. Two of the three leaders, who were inmates of the Guwahati Central Jail, have meanwhile tested positive for COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the Jailer of Guwahati Central Jail has denied reports of Akhil Gogoi being infected by the virus. He is learnt to have informed that the leader's swab samples have now been sent to New Delhi for test.
The agitators formed a human chain close to NH 39, and also demanded that the leaders be given better treatment. They also warned the government of dire consequences if their demands were not fulfilled.
Two peasant leaders have been infected by the deadly contagion. Their swab results came yesterday. The reports of their deteriorating health had started coming in a couple of days ago.
The government meanwhile has been accused of taking a flippant outlook to the case by Kamal Kumar Medhi, former longstanding deputy of Akhil Gogoi and second in command in the organization. In a video released on social media, he also asked as to why the government had to wait, despite many appeals, for the court orders to do the swab tests of the jailed leaders.
