Three Students Jailed in Assam After Allegedly Planning NEET Protest Through WhatsApp Group
Three young men were arrested after police claimed they tried to organise a protest, even though their families say they had sought official permission.
Three young Muslim men from Laluk in Assam’s Lakhimpur district have been sent to judicial custody after being arrested for allegedly attempting to organise a protest in support of the nationwide student movement linked to the NEET controversy.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Monjur Rahman, 23, Ashraful Islam, 21, and Abdul Kashem, 23. According to their families, the three created a WhatsApp group to coordinate a peaceful demonstration supporting students protesting across the country.
Family members said the group approached Laluk Police Station for permission to hold the protest before making any public plans. However, they claimed the request was rejected by the authorities.
Monjur Rahman and Ashraful Islam are both pursuing Master of Commerce degrees. Abdul Kashem is a graduate in pharmaceutical science and currently works as a teacher at a private school while waiting to receive his professional licence.
Speaking to The Wire, Monjur’s father, Mozibur, said his son had done nothing illegal by trying to organise a peaceful protest. He argued that demonstrations have taken place in many parts of the country and questioned why his son was arrested before any protest had even taken place.
Ashraful Islam’s father, Ayub Ali, also criticised the arrests. He alleged that the three were unfairly targeted because they belong to the Muslim community.
The three were arrested on July 23 under Sections 61(2)(b), 353(1), and 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Section 152 relates to offences involving actions that allegedly threaten the sovereignty, unity, or integrity of India, including incitement to secession, armed rebellion, or separatist activities.
According to their families, the police requested custody of the accused for further questioning. The court declined the request and instead remanded all three to judicial custody.