AISA in wait and watch mode as govt assures release of detainees
PATNA, July 28 -- All India Students' Association (AISA) national president Neha Bora, who on Monday had threatened Jantar Mantar style Bihar-wide protests if student protesters were not released within 24 hours, said her organisation would stick to its stand if the government failed to free detainees as promised late on Monday.
The state government in a surprise move declared that it would withdraw cases and release all protesters who took part in demonstrations till 6 pm, July 26.
Bora said her team would monitor the situation (of protesters' release) after government assurance and decide accordingly. "The DGP gave us the assurance. However, we will continue to closely monitor the situation until all those arrested have been released and all FIRs have been withdrawn," she told HT. Earlier, while addressing a press conference in Patna, she had slammed the state government's handing of the protests and use of violence against students protesters, four of whom suffered gun shots and are under treatment in Patna hospital.
The Bihar Bandh on July 25, called by AISA and left-front organisations, saw mixed responses but turned violent in several districts, including in Patna and Siwan. Police opened fire in Siwan, injuring at least three protesters, while reports indicated widespread detentions across the state. Bora claimed that Bihar Police had taken over 900 people into custody.
The Bihar Bandh on July 25, called by AISA and left-front organisations, saw mixed responses but turned violent in several districts, including in Patna and Siwan. Police opened fire in Siwan, injuring at least three protesters, while reports indicated widespread detentions across the state. Bora claimed that Bihar Police had taken over 900 people into custody.
She claimed that she visited Beur Central Jail in Patna, where she met arrested student-youth leaders, including CPI (ML) legislator from Paliganj Sandeep Saurabh and former health minister and Janshakti Janata Dal chief Tej Pratap Yadav.
Bora described cases against protesters as fabricated, which, according to her, also include "attempt to murder" charges. She rejected allegations that AISA activists or their supporters resorted to violence during the agitation. "AISA does not support any form of violence. CPI-ML MLA Sandeep Saurabh also did not support violence. But, is standing in support of someone a crime or a conspiracy?" she asked.
Bora warned that if the arrested students and activists were not released within 24 hours, Jantar Mantar type protests would ensue across the state from July 30. "They will be sharper and stronger and will continue until the last protester is freed," she said.
The AISA leader also raised concerns over police conduct during the protests and questioned the lack of action against police personnel involved in alleged excesses. She also condemned attacks on media personnel by protesters.
She questioned the mandate of firing given to police personnel on duty to handle protests and sought action against those responsible for such an order. "If the firing order came from an officer above, the government should take action against that officer and fix the onus on perpetrators who shot at unarmed protesters. The government has to make it clear what action it has taken so far on the violence carried out by police?" she said.
Bora, who along with activists of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) was a vital part of the month-long Jantar Mantar protest, said that the release of all detained protesters and the annulment of any FIR filed against them was a non-negotiable point of verbal agreement reached between the CJP and the Union government when the agitation was withdrawn after the former education minister's resignation....
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