Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court on Monday granted bail to Shankar Jyoti Baruah, the erstwhile General Secretary of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), who was recently taken into custody following a contentious fracas at the B.N. Singh petrol depot in Duliajan.
Baruah’s apprehension was rooted in an alleged physical scuffle at the fuel station, an occurrence that swiftly spiralled into a politically charged affair, eliciting widespread responses across Assam. The arrest itself had ignited a public outcry, particularly among various indigenous rights organisations.
Several groups, including the Bir Lachit Sena Assam, vehemently opposed Baruah’s detention. Shrinkhal Chaliha, the leader of the Bir Lachit Sena Assam, sharply criticised the arrest, terming it a “deliberate targeting of indigenous individuals.” Concurrently, anxieties have mounted over the perceived inertia concerning Tanu Shahi, who is alleged to be the prime accused in the case and reportedly uttered derogatory remarks against the Assamese community, yet continues to evade arrest.
Baruah’s proponents have expressed satisfaction with the court’s verdict, perceiving it as a rectifying step in what they consider a disproportionate reaction to the incident. The case continues to fuel socio-political dialogue in the region, with various civil society segments calling for an unbiased and thorough investigation.
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