The Assam government has decided not to initiate any further adverse legal action against those involved in the recent protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and others over the NEET paper leak, announcing that all cases linked to the agitation will be withdrawn and those arrested will be released.
In a statement issued late on Monday night, the state home and political department said five cases registered in connection with the protests would be withdrawn and the process to release the 13 people arrested so far would be initiated.
The release said the decision was taken after “careful consideration” and in view of the “need to strengthen accountability and undertake systemic reforms across the examination and higher education ecosystem”.
“No adverse legal action will be initiated by any of the police authorities within the state against those persons who have been involved in these protests,” the statement issued by additional chief secretary Ajay Tewari said.
It added that the process to withdraw the cases would be initiated “as per law promptly”, while the review of the arrests and release of those detained would be “initiated expeditiously”.
“The government does not propose to take any further adverse action against the individuals involved in the protests, and the matter shall be treated as closed without any future proceedings on this account,” the release stated.
{{/usCountry}}“The government does not propose to take any further adverse action against the individuals involved in the protests, and the matter shall be treated as closed without any future proceedings on this account,” the release stated.
{{/usCountry}}The government’s decision came after the CJP leadership in Delhi announced plans to intensify protests unless its supporters arrested in Assam, West Bengal and Bihar were released immediately.
Among those arrested in Assam were advocate Ariful Islam, who was detained in Guwahati for participating in the protests, and three persons from Lakhimpur district – Manzur Rahman, Ashraful Islam and Abdul Kasem – who were arrested for allegedly creating a WhatsApp group in support of the agitation. All four are currently in judicial custody.
Those arrested were booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections 152, 61(2) and 353(1), relating to activities endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the country, criminal conspiracy, and spreading false information.