Court allows Assam student arrested for pro-ULFA-I post to take exams

Barshashree Buragohian was arrested on May 18 and charged under stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act

Published on: Jul 15, 2022, 08:35:14 IST

By Utpal Parashar

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

A local court has allowed a 19-year Assam student, who has been in jail for two months for a Facebook post allegedly supporting the banned United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I), to take her exams next week under police security.

The case did not get much attention until Buragohain’s parents appealed to chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to release her for her exams. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Barshashree Buragohian was arrested on May 18 and charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for writing: “Akou korim rashtradroh [will rebel against the nation again].”

Her lawyer said Buragohian wrote to the court, which gave the go-ahead on Thursday, seeking permission to appear in exams.

The case did not get much attention until Buragohain’s parents appealed to chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the police to release her for her exams.

Sarma on Thursday claimed if she had not been arrested, she would have joined ULFA-I. “If the girl’s parents and she herself declared that she would not join the outfit, she can be released. But if she says she will wage war against the country, the law will take its course,” Sarma said.

The state government and police have drawn flak on social media platforms for arresting the student for what many insisted for writing a poem.

Assam Police chief Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta on Wednesday said Buragohain has not been arrested for writing poems. “But when someone writes that she wants to join ULFA-I or encourage others to do so, it becomes a problem. That is why she has been arrested. So, instead of joining ULFA, you better stay in jail.”

Buragohain also wrote on Facebook that she “would rebel against the nation a thousand times for the sake of freedom.” The banned ULFA-I has been seeking an independent Assam for 43 years.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.