Former CM Tarun Gogoi demands release of arrested JNU students

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah condemning the arrests of two Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students by the Delhi Police on Sunday.

The two students, Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal were arrested in connection with Jafrabad anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) sit-in protest in February. It is to be mentioned that Devangana Kalita is a native of Assam.

In his letter, Gogoi stated that the students took part in a peaceful agitation against the CAA and demanded their release from the police custody. "They were not indulging in any violence and didn't incite people to show violent behavior. The Indian Constitution has given right to everybody to express or to agitate against the decision of the Government and both of them did nothing except exercising their fundamental right," said Gogoi.

Further, he said that the arrests of the two students for staging a democratic protest clearly indicate the nature of the government that is violating the rights of citizens.

"You know yourself that great agitations are going on all over the country against the CAA and CAA violates the principle of the Indian Constitution and also goes against the Assam Accord. We have no doubt this is nothing but political vendetta and attempt to suppress their fundamental right. I therefore request you to kindly direct Delhi police to release both the students immediately," said Gogoi. 

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