Assam Cong questions Govt over spread of COVID in Guwahati jail, demands inquiry

The Leader of the Opposition, Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia urged the government to set up an Enquiry Commission to find out how COVID-19 has spread in the Guwahati Central Jail.

“It is very much necessary to find out who has brought COVID-19 to the jail as no outsider or family member has been allowed to meet the detainees since a long time on the plea that they may get infected by the virus,” Saikia stated in a letter written to the Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on July 9^th, 2020.

Moreover, Saikia urged the government to reconsider the matter related to release of the prisoners in view of the COVID-19 outbreak. “In view of the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court had directed all the state Governments to release prisoners so that they can go back home. Most of the prisoners were consequently released, but in spite of such a directive political prisoners like Akhil Gogoi are still being kept in prison. I request the government to reconsider the matter and ensure that all under trial prisoners who have yet been convicted by any court of law, including political prisoners, are sent for medical check-up/ treatment in accordance with the apex court's directive and subsequently allowed to return to their homes,” he added.

Also read: Assam: Guwahati Jail turns COVID-19 hotspot, KMSS alleges after two anti-CAA agitators test positive

It may be mentioned that KMSS (Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti), leaders Bitu Sonowal and Dhajya Konwar, who have been lodged in jail for their role in anti-Citizenship Amendment Act movement, were tested positive for the COVID-19 on July 8^th, 2020. They were initially admitted to the Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital (MMCH) for medical assistance on July 8th, 2020 night. Later, on July 9th, 2020 morning, both of them were shifted to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). Meanwhile, firebrand leader Akhil Gogoi was tested negative for the lethal virus during the rapid antigen test. Later, his swab sample was sent to Delhi.

During a telephonic conversation with INSIDENE, Mukut Deka, Joint Secretary of the organisation, expressed resentment at the government for violating the Right to Health of the leaders as well as other jail inmates.

He further accused the jail authority of being failed to maintain transparency. “The Guwahati Central Jail is not safe anymore. It has turned to COVID-19 hotspot. As per the information, out of 10 samples, three were tested positive yesterday. So, it can be said that 30 percent are infected. Accordingly, if tests of 1200 inmates are done, then we are sure, around 500 will be found positive for the lethal virus.”

Akhil Gogoi was arrested on 12th Dec 2019, from Jorhat, sent to NIA custody for 10 days in Delhi, and taken back and lodged in Guwahati Central Jail since 26th Dec. KMSS Secretary Dhaijya Konwar and Bittu Sonowal, President of Chatra Mukti Sangram Samiti, a popular democratic student org in Assam, were arrested on 13th Dec and lodged in Guwahati Central Jail. On 7th Jan, both of them were tagged in the same fake UAPA case with Akhil Gogoi and are currently in NIA custody in Kamrup district. Manas Konwar was arrested on 13th Dec, released later and re-arrested from NIA Court, Guwahati, Assam towards the end of January 2020 being slapped with similar charges under UAPA. Earlier, the NIA failed to file a charge sheet within the mandatory 90 days, which warranted Akhil’s release but he was immediately arrested for other cases.

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