KMSS to launch statewide campaign demanding release of jailed leader Akhil Gogoi

Guwahati: The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity (KMSS) has vowed to launch a statewide campaign demanding the release of its leader Akhil Gogoi, who has been in behind bars for his role in the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment Act) since December of 2019.

Revealing their intentions, the KMSS leadership on Monday said in a presser that it will launch the campaign tomorrow, September 1. KMSS leaders Hussain Md. Shajhan and Bhasko-De Saikia have said that they will try to garner support to their cause from the people of all strata of society across the state through the campaign.

The KMSS' leaders have also announced that soi far, they have been able to collect Rs. 22 lakh as donations from concerned citizens as legal aid for Gogoi. The KMSS chief was arrested by the Assam Police in December 2019 with the sustained protests against the 'CAA' reaching its zenith in the state.

Subsequently, he was handed over to the National Investigation Agency(NIA) by the state police. Since then, Akhil has been kept in jail. His followers, however, claim that the KMSS supremo is being held on "bogus" charges.

The KMSS leadership in the presser also urged all the regional parties to join hands to unseat the BJP from power in the upcoming state assembly elections. A few days ago, the KMSS also declared that it would form a political party to fight in the next assembly elections, announcing Akhil as the Chief Ministerial candidate. The proposed party's name will be announced by Gogoi once he is released from jail.

"We have prepared ourselves to form a new political party. It will be a regional party. People from all tribes, caste, community, religion, and language will be a part of this party," KMSS president Bhasco De Saikia said, making the announcement.

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