KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi tests COVID-19 positive in jail: Sources

Guwahati: Akhil Gogoi, the imprisoned Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) leader serving sentence in the Guwahati Central Jail has tested COVID-19 positive, a source The Sentinel Digital, although officials are yet to confirm the development.

According to our inputs, Gogoi's sample was taken in the evening on Saturday after he reported feeling unwell. On July 9, after samples of inmates were collected, two of Gogoi's primary aides -- Dhaijya Konwar and Bitu Sonowal -- tested positive and were admitted to the Gauhati Medical College & Hospital (GMCH) for treatment. A say later, as many as 19 inmates of the prison tested positive, prompting the Kamrup (M) district administration to declare the area as a Containment Zone and seal it until further orders.

The news of Gogoi's COVID-19 positive status has come amid immense speculation over his health. The jail authorities had earlier confirmed to us that the KMSS supremo had developed a viral fever and was treated by medical personnel within the jail premises.

This comes amid mounting pressure on the Sarbananda Sonowal-led Bjp regime to release Gogoi in view of his deteriorating health. Earlier this year, Gogoi complained of severe back pain and his condition deteriorated to such an extent that he could not even meet visitors -- including his wife. Diagnosis revealed that the activist is afflicted with kidney stones and stomach ulcers.

When the COVID-19 landed on Assam's shores, the clamor for his release grew louder, with the Assam state Government coming under increasing attack from Gogoi's supporters, who claim that he has been jailed on "phony charges" and demanded his release, even as the Supreme directed state Governments in a bid to "decongest jails" before the pandemic came swooping.

After reports that Gogoi was exhibiting signs of the COVID-19 started surfacing on various sections of the media, Geetashree Tamuly, Akhil's wife, told a news portal that she is in 'total darkness' and that she has not been given any information Akhil's health. After the news of Akhil's sickness reached Akhil's ailing mother Priyada, who also took part in the anti-CAA agitation, she recorded a video in which she says that if her son is to die in jail, Sarbananda Sonowal will be held responsible.

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