Not happy as MLA, says Akhil Gogoi

GUWAHATI, MAR

12 (PTI): Assam MLA Akhil

Gogoi, who became a sensation in the state by winning Assembly polls from jail in 2021, on Sunday said he is not happy being a legislator and missed his activist days, when the former peasant leader could raise “people’s issues” more “directly and strongly”.

The first-time MLA from Sibsagar constituency also claimed that he is alone in criticising and protesting the “anti-people” decisions of the government as other opposition parties have become “silent”. “I am not happy with this post of MLA. I am an activist. I fight against all anti-people activities of the central as well as the state government,” Gogoi told PTI in an interview. Raijor Dal, Gogoi’s political party, has been fighting against various issues such as corporatisation of resources, what he claimed was a “fascist” atmosphere, and “communal and undemocratic spirit” of governance. Asked specifically if there was more scope of fighting for people’s causes while he was an activist, Gogoi said: “I was more happy in the days of activism. Now, I am a legislator.

“In the Assam Assembly, I am the only (one in) opposition who fights against this government. We have 51 opposition MLAs. But many in the opposition voted in favour of BJP in the Rajya Sabha and Presidential elections.”

When pointed out that there were allegations that he had voted for BJP during the President’s election, the

Independent MLA denied the charge and claimed that he has been fighting against the “BJP’s communal and casteist politics all along”.

Gogoi had started his social life by starting the peasant organisation Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and raised a series of issues relating to the farmers’ livelihood and settlement for almost two decades.

He had filed a number of RTI applications and court cases on a range of issues, including land rights, and exposed a number of scams in Assam.

The former KMSS leader and his group had also organised protests and agitations, including against NHPC’s 2,000 MW Subansiri hydro power project, Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and toll gates on National Highways, across the state.

“I fought against all the concepts of the central Government and BJP. I think

Manipur police arrests 2 Myanmar nationals with fake aadhaar cards

IMPHAL, MAR 12 (

AGENCIES): The Manipur Police arrested two Myanmar nationals from Imphal West district for allegedly possessing fake Aadhaar cards, reports Pratidin Time.

The Myanmar nationals, who were reportedly a couple, were arrested after a search operation based on an intelligence report at

Earthquake of 3.7 strikes Dibang in Arunachal

GUWAHATI, MAR 12

( AGENCIES): A 3.7 magnitude earthquake struck Arunachal Pradesh’s Dibang Valley today at around 12:12 pm. Tremors were felt in adjoining areas and the epicenter was recorded at a depth of five kilometers from the surface, reports The Assam Tribune. The Northeastern region of India in the past few months has witnessed several low intensity earthquakes. The latest being the 3.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Assam’s Kamrup district on March 8. On February 28, a 3.2 magnitude earthquake hit Manipur’s Noney district while an earthquake measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale had hit Meghalaya’s Tura on the same day.

Phayeng Kharang Khunou village in Imphal West for illegally staying in India with fake documents.

As per sources, a Manipuri youth identified as Angom Chinglen who provided shelter to the foreign nationals also have been apprehended.

This was stated by Manipur Health Minister all the opposition MLAs are not fighting against this government strongly. I am alone fighting boldly,” Gogoi asserted.

Sapam Ranjan in a press conference held at his office in Imphal on Sunday.

The Myanmarese couple has been identified as Limdai Merr alias Solomon Merr alias Thongkhosei Hangsong, (33), of Layshi township, Naga self-administered zone, Sagaing region (Myanmar) and his wife Veikhohat Hatnu, 29.

“In all the sessions, I always fight against the communal spirit. In Assam, there are some anti-Constitutional, anti-democratic work … like the ‘fake encounters’ and eviction of minority people (from settlements which have been declared illegal by the state),” Gogoi alleged.

When asked if he will contest again in 2026, the Raijor Dal chief pointed out that election is a medium through which he can spread his ideology.

“It’s a question of democracy and I shall definitely fight the 2026 elections against this government,” he added. Gogoi expressed reluctance to give a direct reply to a query on his chances of winning in the 2026.

“See, I am not a professional politician … I am a simple man and I always fight against communalism and fascism. We are trying to restore the values of the Indian Constitution and democracy.

“So, this question of winning or not winning is not a question for me,” he said. Gogoi was arrested by the NIA in December 2019 for his alleged role in violent anti-CAA protests across the state. The NIA was investigating two cases against Gogoi and three of his associates related to anti-CAA violence.

While in jail, he formed Raijor Dal, contested 2021 Assembly polls as an Independent candidate from Sibsagar seat and won, defeating BJP’s Surabhi Rajkonwari by a decisive 11,875 votes.

Gogoi became the first Assamese to win an election while behind bars without any physical campaigning. He also became the first in Assam Assembly to take oath as a MLA, while still a prisoner.