Assam Abandons Prosecution of 13 Anti-NEET Protesters as State Files Closed

State Orders Immediate Halt to Legal Proceedings

In a significant policy reversal issued late on July 27, 2026, the Assam government directed that five criminal cases involving 13 protesters be formally closed. The decision ends the legal jeopardy for residents who were detained during public demonstrations against national medical entrance exam irregularities. Authorities confirmed that the review process to facilitate these releases is being expedited to ensure no ongoing penalties impact the individuals involved.

High-Profile Detentions and Controversial Charges

The resolution follows global scrutiny regarding the specific individuals swept up in the police response on July 23 and 24. The 13 detainees spanned a diverse demographic, including:

• Mustahid Ahmed (23): Arrested in Guwahati after reportedly questioning a police officer regarding the absence of a mandatory name tag.
• Ariful Islam (28): A practicing advocate whose arrest triggered condemnation from the All India Lawyers Association for Justice. Reports indicate Islam was in his professional court attire and presented his Bar Council identity card at the time of detention.
• Chinmoy Deka (24), Amir Ali (26), and Mehdi Alam (26): The latter two were food delivery personnel who the lawyers' association claimed were mere bystanders.
• Birinchi Bora: A Congress leader in Nagaon accused of mobilizing assemblies and inciting minors.
• Three unidentified students arrested in Lakhimpur.

Initially, the state applied severe legal frameworks against these citizens, including accusations of criminal conspiracy and endangering India's sovereignty. Other charges included rioting, unlawful assembly, and obstructing public servants. Despite the gravity of the original filings, the state's Monday night order explicitly noted that the matter is now considered closed.

Preemptive Detentions and Civil Rights Criticism

The total number of citizens impacted by the security crackdown was significantly higher than the 13 face-to-face arrests. On July 25, police detained more than 50 additional people to prevent a scheduled march by the Students’ Federation of India. These individuals were eventually released before the government issued its mandate to drop the five primary cases. Legal advocacy groups had previously characterized the detention of professionals like Ariful Islam as unlawful, citing his status as a bystander rather than an active participant in the civil unrest.

Source: The Hindu — News