Jailed Assam KMSS leaders Bitu Sonowal, Dhaijya Konwar test COVID-19 positive; Akhil Gogoi has symptoms, say reports

Sources have claimed KMSS adviser Akhil Gogoi, who was booked under the UAPA Act and imprisoned during the movement against the CAA, has also been infected with COVID-19.

FP Staff July 09, 2020 15:12:33 IST
Jailed Assam KMSS leaders Bitu Sonowal, Dhaijya Konwar test COVID-19 positive; Akhil Gogoi has symptoms, say reports

Bitu Sonowal and Dhaijya Konwar, leaders of the Assam-based farmers rights organisation Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to local media reports.

The duo, serving a sentence at the Guwahati Central Jail for their role in the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests, was taken on Wednesday night and put up in a makeshift cam in Panbazar.

Meanwhile, sources have claimed KMSS adviser Akhil Gogoi, who was booked under the UAPA Act and imprisoned during the movement against the CAA, has also been infected with COVID-19. Dasarath Das, IGP of Guwahati Central Jail, however denied the claims and said that the leader had shown no symptoms for the viral infection.

"Reports of Akhil Gogoi testing COVID-19 positive is fake. Media houses saying that he has been mistreated and has tested positive for the virus is not true," said Das speaking to Northeast Now.

The report further said that both Bitu and Dhaijya were first admitted to the Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital (MMCH) on Wednesday and later shifted to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on Thursday morning.

Sarbananda Sonowal-led BJP government received criticism from, Kamal Kumar Medhi, former longstanding deputy of Akhil Gogoi for taking a casual approach in dealing with the deteriorating health of the jailed leaders.

Meanwhile, Tarun Gogoi, three-time former Chief Minister of Assam, has also demanded the state government to release Akhil Gogoi, and his aides from jail.

On Wednesday, the veteran Congressman launched a scathing attack at the BJP-ruled state government, while assuring that the Grand Old Party will provide legal help to the jailed peasant leaders.

Updated Date:

also read

Manipur violence: Amit Shah appeals for peace, assures justice for all
India

Manipur violence: Amit Shah appeals for peace, assures justice for all

"I will go to Manipur soon and stay there for three days but before that, both groups should remove mistrust and suspicion among themselves and ensure that peace is restored in the state," he said

End of Work from Home? Are TCS employees being forced to come to office?
Explainers

End of Work from Home? Are TCS employees being forced to come to office?

TCS has begun delivering notes to staff members who don't put in at least 12 days of in-office work each month. The IT company reportedly threatened employees with disciplinary action if they failed to abide by its new policy. The firm is just one of the many that has put an end to work from home

Services row: Arvind Kejriwal seeks meeting with Rahul Gandhi amid battle with Centre over ordinance
India

Services row: Arvind Kejriwal seeks meeting with Rahul Gandhi amid battle with Centre over ordinance

The Centre promulgated an ordinance last week to create a National Capital Civil Service Authority for the transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against Group-A officers from the DANICS cadre.