Guwahati: Barshashree Buragohain, who was arrested in May because of her Facebook post was purportedly seen as promoting the outlawed group ULFA-I has given permission by a court on Thursday to appear in her degree exam.
The court said that Barshashree will have to appear in the exam under heavy security. This comes after her parents on Wednesday begged that she be released.
A 19-year-old from Assam has been in jail since May for her Facebook post allegedly supporting a banned outfit. The police have now claimed that her arrest was “as per law,” despite rising calls for her release and criticism on social media.
Barshashree Buragohain was arrested and charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act or UAPA on May 18 this year in Uriamghat in Golaghat district for her post titled ‘Akou Korim Rashtra Droh’ (will again rebel against the nation).
According to Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) GP Singh, “This is not a case of sedition; it is a case of waging war against nation, which is non-negotiable for any law enforcement body. Therefore, as per the mandate of law, the case has been recorded.”
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the police were persuaded by the parents of the second-year mathematics student at Jorhat’s DCB College to free her from custody so that she may sit for her exams, and Singh responded. The tests are expected to take place later this month.
Ms. Buragohain will probably miss the tests, though, as the police claim they are “legally obligated” to bring charges against her.
Singh, in a Twitter post, said, “There is a specific call to indulge in waging war against the State in her Facebook post. When someone publicly professes support for a banned organisation and declares intent of waging war against the Indian state, we are legally bound to prosecute that person. Following due process, a chargesheet shall be filed in a competent court of law. Let the law take its own course”.
While addressing to reporters, DGP of Assam police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta said “She didn’t get detained because she wrote a poem. She was detained for enticing others to join the outlawed group.”