New Delhi, 11 August 2020.
Comrade Balindra Saikia, Central Committee member of CPI(ML) and convener of the Assam unit of All India Kisan Mahasabha was arrested yesterday by Assam Police from his residence in Dibrugarh. Apart from being a prominent anti-CAA activist, Comrade Balindra has been leading a series of struggles for compensation for farmers who have lost land in a road construction project.
Strangely, yesterday morning Balindra's house was encircled by a BJP-backed mob who were daring him to come out. The mob dispersed after some local people and activists reached there in support of Comrade Balindra. A complaint was lodged with the police station, but instead of taking action against the lynch mob instigators and organisers, the police arrested Balindra.
It should be noted that a few weeks ago the police framed another CPI(ML) leader and CC member, Comrade Bibek Das, blaming him for his FB posts on the plight of the tea garden workers and the poor people in Biswanath District. His phone has been seized by the police.
There is clearly a pattern. From Akhil Gogoi and Bittu Sonowal to CPI(ML) leaders Balindra Saikia and Bibek Das, the Assam BJP government is targeting the whole range of prominent activists in the state who have been defending the Constitution and the rights of the working people of Assam.
We call upon Assam government to stop implicating peasant movement leaders like Akhil Gogoi and Balindra Saikia in false cases. We demand immediate unconditional release of Comrade Balindra Saikia and action against the BJP goons who had encircled Comrade Balindra's residence yesterday like a lynch mob. CPI(ML) will organise countrywide protests on 14 August demanding Comrade Balindra's unconditional release.
- Central Committee, CPIML
