KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi’s mother, Priyada Gogoi, began an indefinite hunger strike in front of her house at Selenghat in Assam’s Golaghat district on Friday, demanding his immediate release. She said he had no link with Maoists.

“He is being framed by someone or maybe the government. They do not want him to carry on with the protest because the people of the state have united and they feel that they will soon fall,” she said.

Akhil was first arrested by Assam police on December 12 and then handed over to the National Investigation Agency which arrested him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. On Tuesday, a special court sent him to 10-day custody.

Priyada said Akhil, before this protest, had promised her that he would come to Golaghat and take her for an eye check-up but could not make it. She said Akhil had always fought for the rights of the Assamese and she had hardly met him in the past few years.

He was booked under Sections 120 (B), 124 (A), 153 (A), 153 (B) of the IPC and Sections 18, 39 of the Act.

The court has also directed the NIA to ensure that Akhil gets a regular medical check-up. His family and lawyers are allowed to meet him.