Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti’s (KMSS) Dibrugarh unit joint secretary, Sashi Sensowa was arrested on Monday for alleged “violence and vandalism” during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act in the Upper Assam district, reported The Telegraph.
Sensowa was arrested from his house in Tingkong, after which the police produced him in court which sent to judicial custody.
Shedding light on the reasons of arrest, Dibrugarh superintendent of police Sreejith Tiraviam said, “Sensowa was arrested in connection with violence, vandalism and arson. We have scientific evidence against him and arrested him on that basis. We have enough evidence against the persons who were involved in vandalism and violence.”
Meanwhile, KMSS district secretary Hemanta Konwar said, “Sensowa was arrested for his participation in the anti-CAA movement. The government is imposing the CAA without the consent of the people. His arrest is a ploy to dislodge the anti-CAA movement. We condemn such act. We demand his immediate release because he has done nothing. We will continue our protest till the CAA is repealed.”
The Nari Mukti Sangram Samiti, the women’s wing of the KMSS held a demonstration at the jail premises and the residents of Tingkong blocked Rajgarh road demanding Sensowa’s immediate release. Condemning the arrest of KMSS leaders, Konwar also confirmed that in light of the arrest, the members of the self-help women’s groups in the area have decided to not repay the government-aided micro finance loans till Sensowa is released.
Sensowa is the third KMSS leader to be arrested after Akhil Gogoi and Biju Tamuli. Gogoi was arrested on grounds of preventive measures amid CAA protests on December 12, 2019. The Guwahati police had registered a suo moto case against him which was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), following which the NIA booked him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Tamuli was also arrested in Dibrugarh on January 2 under the same charges as Sensowa.
Assam, especially Dibrugarh, the home district of Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has been witnessing massive protests against the CAA. The violence during the protests has also led to the damage of public property and the death of five people who were killed due to the police firing live ammunition on protestors.
The movement against the CAA had started in Assam, with the people of the state agitating against the government’s decision which is slated to threaten their indigenous culture, language and identity.
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