Guwahati blast accused former student leader Sanjib Talukdar tops exam, awarded gold medal
A former student leader who is facing trial for alleged role in a 2019 bombing in Guwahati, has been awarded the gold medal for his academic achievement from Assam Governor Jagdish Mukti, which he received from behind the bars.
Sanjib Talukdar, who, along with other suspects, was arrested for his alleged role in a United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) orchestrated blast in Guwahati in 2019 that wounded 12 people, topped his post-graduation in Sociology.
Talukdar had enrolled and completed his Master of Arts from Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University (KKHSOU) while being lodged in a Guwahati jail.
Governor Mukti presented the medal to Sanjib Talukdar on Thursday at a convocation for topping his class with 71 percent marks.
Sanjib’s family expressed their joy on his achievement, however, they lamented that their son, who they stressed was innocent, is still behind bars. Sanjib’s sister Dolly expressed faith that justice will be served and her brother will soon be free.
Sanjib, the youngest among five siblings, was pursuing M Phil in Botany at the time of his arrest, soon after the blast.
Dolly said that her brother could not pursue his M Phil due to lack of lab facilities in prison and instead opted to complete a Masters in Sociology in the meantime. She hoped that Sanjib gets time to complete his M Phil once released.
Sanjib was the president of the Post Graduate Students’ Union of Gauhati University, from where he was doing his M Phil at the time of arrest. He was also well known among literary circles for his writings and oratory skills, a friend of the under-trial revealed.
He has completed the course for Certificate in HIV and Family Education (CAFE) and Certificate in Human Rights (CHR), both from IGNOU and also appeared for Post Graduate Certificate in Geoinformatics from KKHSOU, the result of which is awaited.
Sanjib’s bail petition is due in Gauhati Hight Court in another four months and the family is hopeful of a favorable ruling. He was released on parole briefly last year to attend his sister’s wedding.
Sanjib Talukdar, 29, is among the accused, arrested for their alleged role in a bombing on RG Baruah Road in Guwahati on May 15, 2019. The NIA in its chargesheet has charged Talukdar with multiple offences including conspiracy, unlawful activities and providing help and support to the prime accused in the case.
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