The Times Of India, March 6 2014, Guwahati: National Alliance of People’s Movement (NAPM), an umbrella body of different civil society organizations across the country, has asked the state government to drop cases againstKrishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) president Akhil Gogoi and look into the issues raised by the peasant leader.

“We stand in solidarity with Akhil Gogoi in this difficult time and hope that KMSS will come out stronger after this test. Thousands of supporters and activists of KMSS have come out on the streets in protest. We stand by them,” an NAPM statement said.

Meanwhile, KMSS activists continued their hunger strike at Dighalipukhri here on Wednesday, demanding release of Akhil and other activists. Since their arrest on March 2, protests for their release are on in parts of the state. On Tuesday, civil society members, intellectuals and leading citizens demanded their release.

Akhil and five others were arrested on March 2 for allegedly instigating Pranab Boro to torch himself during a protest on February 24. “Though NAPM mourns Boro’s death, it condemns the attempt to malign KMSS in this tragic incident,” the statement said.

It added that the state should investigate the issues raised by KMSS. The statement was signed by various social activists, including Medha Patkar.

Web: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Drop-cases-against-Akhil-National-Alliance-of-Peoples-Movement-to-govt/articleshow/31537448.cms