Thaindian News

New Delhi, June 26 (IANS) Reformer Anna Hazare’s civil society group India Against Corruption (IAC) Sunday demanded the release of two Right to Information (RTI) activists arrested in Assam and demanded an apology from the government.

Akhil Gogoi and Mukut of the group Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) were arrested from the Guwahati Press Club premises Friday for allegedly inciting violence earlier in the week in Assam’s capital Dispur.

“India Against Corruption, Delhi, strongly condemns such high-handed, brutal and undemocratic actions by the government and requests all citizens to join hands to oppose the government’s grave misconduct,” said a statement from the IAC.

“Gogoi and Mukut must be immediately released by the government, an apology issued, and the police officers responsible for the arrests disciplined,” it said.

“This is an example of the type of criminal behaviour by the government that is alienating the people of the northeast and giving rise to and fuelling armed rebellion by various groups,” the IAC said.

Gogoi and and Mukut were arrested for inciting violence during a protest Wednesday. Three people were killed and over 50 others injured in police firing in the incident.

“At the time of arrest, Akhil was explaining to the media how some unknown people in the crowd set vehicles on fire. Instead of arresting the real culprits, the government arrested the very people who raised their voices against state crime, maladministration and corruption in the public distribution system (PDS) in Golaghat district,” the statement said.