Guwahati, December 18: Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) leader Akhil Gogoi on Tuesday denied his links with Maoists. Akhil Gogoi said that the charges against him were false. The activist was sent to 10-day NIA custody by a special court in Guwahati after he was arrested under charges relating to sedition and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act while protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Citizenship Amendment Act: Supreme Court Refuses to Stay CAA Implementation, Serves Notice to Centre; Next Hearing in January.

Speaking to the Indian Express moments before his arrest, Gogoi said, “I have never been with Maoists, am not with them, and will never be with them in the future too. It’s a ploy to delegitimise the people’s uprising." He further alleged that the government is trying to derail the people’s movement.

Gogoi was arrested on December 12 in Jorhat amid widespread violent protests in the state and was later handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The court also directed the NIA to ensure regular medical checkup of Gogoi, and allow his family members and lawyers to meet.

Last week, the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was passed in Rajya Sabha. A total of 125 MPs voted in favour of the CAB, while 105 voted against it. The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on December 9. The Bill seeks to provide Indian nationality to Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains and Buddhists immigrants except for Muslims.

The passage of the Bill triggered widespread protests across the country, especially in Assam. After a week, the broadband services were resumed in parts of the state on Tuesday. The protests intensified after the Delhi Police on Sunday allegedly entered the campus of Jamia Millia Islamia University. Students of various universities across the country are also protesting against the controversial bill.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 18, 2019 01:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).