by Bhupen Goswami 

Guwahati : Congress Assam unit MLA Sharman Ali Ahmed has been arrested on charges of sedition for making “provocative” remarks during an anti-encroachment drive in Darang district. Police said on Sunday that Ahmed was taken into custody from his MLA residence in Dispur on Saturday and taken to Panbazar police station for questioning where he was later arrested.A police official said he is expected to be produced before the court today.

It was also informed that a case has also been registered against him under Section 124A (Sedition) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Several organisations including All Assam Students Union (ASU) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) youth wing Bhajumo had lodged a police complaint against the MLA over his remarks. The state Congress also issued a notice to him for making “communally provocative” statements ahead of the bypoll in the state and sought his response within three days. Ahmed made the remarks while reacting to the claim of some LEADERS of the BJP-led ruling coalition that eight people were “killed” in 1983 by alleged encroachers in Sipazar area of Darang district during the Assam agitation.