Assam MLA Returns to Assembly After 218 Days in Detention
AIUDF legislator Aminul Islam made a dramatic return to the Assam Legislative Assembly on Saturday, marking his first appearance after spending 218 days in detention under the controversial National Security Act. The MLA from Dhing constituency attended the final day of the winter session, just one day after the Gauhati High Court struck down his detention orders and secured his release.
"Vengeance by the State Government"
Speaking to journalists outside the assembly building, Islam did not mince words when describing his ordeal. "I was in prison for 218 days and was released yesterday," he stated, characterizing his detention as an act of "vengeance by the state government."
The politician explained that his troubles began after he questioned the central government's handling of security following the Pahalgam terror attack. "I had just raised a question of the central government – how could terrorists from Pakistan enter such a sensitive tourist place like Pahalgam in the absence of security and shoot 26, 28 people and leave? That was my statement," he recounted.
Islam passionately defended his right as an opposition MLA to hold the government accountable. "If the central government failed to secure the life of Indian citizens, as an opposition MLA, am I supposed to question the India government, the Sri Lanka government or the South Africa government? Who is accountable?"
Legal Battle and NSA Detention
The sequence of events that led to Islam's prolonged detention reveals a complex legal battle:
- April 24: Initial arrest for statements made at a political rally
- May 14: Granted bail by Nagaon district court after 15 days
- Same Day: Immediately re-arrested under National Security Act
- November: Gauhati High Court quashes NSA detention
Islam was charged under Section 152 of the BNS for allegedly suggesting that the Pahalgam attack was a "conspiracy" by the central BJP government. This section deals with "acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India" – a charge similar to sedition under the previous IPC.
What makes this case particularly significant is that Islam was the first among 58 people arrested across Assam in a government campaign "to detain Pakistan supporters" following the terror attack.
High Court Intervention and Release
The Gauhati High Court's decision to quash the NSA detention came after identifying several procedural lapses. The court noted an unexplained delay by authorities in dealing with Islam's representation against his detention. Additionally, the authorities had failed to inform him of his right to represent to the Central Government until reminded to do so.
An order from the Nagaon District Commissioner had initially justified the detention citing a report from the district SP claiming Islam "has been engaging in activities prejudicial to the maintenance of public order and the security of the state."
However, Islam maintains that his detention was purely politically motivated. "Whether I am right or wrong will be determined by the courts, but the government detained me with completely political motivations. The reason is that I am very vocal in the assembly, which exposes the government. Taking this chance, the government took this revenge on me," he asserted.
The MLA's release on Friday night marks a significant victory for opposition voices in Assam and raises important questions about the use of the National Security Act against political opponents.
