GUWAHATI, June 16 � Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti leaders Akhil Gogoi and Kamal Medhi were today arrested by police for allegedly inciting their supporters to obstruct the officials and employees of the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) from performing their duties.
Both the accused who were produced before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (Guwahati) later in the day, were denied bail and sent to judicial custody.
Gogoi and Medhi were staging a fast unto death near the APSC premises since Monday against irregularities in the Commission-conducted examination, demanding removal of the APSC Chairman from the post and also a CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the 2013 combined competitive examination and an overhaul of the system in place.
The two leaders were picked up by the police from near the APSC office minutes before they were scheduled to address the media at 12 noon.
Booked under sections 120 B, 341, 294, 353 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code, both Gogoi and Medhi were represented by advocates Bijon Mahajan and S Barthakur. Except for Section 353, which relates to obstructing government officials from discharging their duty, all the other are bailable offences.
N Saikia was the State counsel in the case, which was registered with Basistha Police Station case number 1169/2015 after AND Sinha, Principal Controller of Examination of the APSC lodged a complaint alleging that members of the KMSS at the behest of the accused, had obstructed the officials and employees of the Commission from discharging their duty and also used filthy language.
Immediately after the two leaders� arrest, members of the KMSS staged protest programmes across the State, including Guwahati. Protesters were seen shouting slogans outside the Basistha Police Station where the leaders were first taken, and demanding their release.
Rubul Das of the All Assam Scheduled Caste Students� Union was also picked up by the police from in front of the Basistha Police Station along with several other protesters.
Meanwhile, supporters of Akhil Gogoi have threatened a series of agitational programmes against their leaders� arrest.