Barpeta, Assam: Three young men from Laluk in Assam’s Lakhimpur district were arrested on July 23 by police for trying to organise a protest in support of the countrywide youth movement. The arrested men are Monjur Rahman (23), Ashraful Islam (21), and Abdul Kashem(23), all residents of Islampur village which falls under the jurisdiction of the Laluk Police Station. According to their families, the three had created a WhatsApp group to organise a peaceful demonstration in support of the movement which has now led to the resignation of the education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan.Manjur Rahman is a Masters student of commerce and was reportedly working in his family’s agricultural field when police summoned him on the afternoon of July 22. His father, Mozibur Rahman, questioned the basis of the arrest.“My son has not done anything unconstitutional by trying to organise a protest,” Mozibur told The Wire.“Youths across the country are protesting. They not being arrested. My son had not even held a demonstration yet. He only tried to organise one,” he added.Another arrested youth, Ashraful Islam, is also pursuing an M.Com degree. His father, Ayub Ali, said that police took Ashraful from near their house at around midnight on July 23.“My son is very bright and obedient. He cannot be involved in any criminal activities as the case alleges,” Ayub Ali told The Wire.“People from other communities are not being arrested. But we are Muslims. That is why they are targeting us,” he said.Abdul Kashem is a graduate in pharmaceutical science. As he awaits his licence to practice, he teaches at a private school. He appeared at Laluk Police Station with a friend after being summoned by the police on July 22. His family members told The Wire that police had informed them that he would be released the following morning after routine questioning.“When we visited the police station again the next morning, the police informed us that he would be sent to jail,” Kashem’s father, Nurul Islam, told The Wire.All three families said that before their arrest, the men had sought permission from Laluk Police Station to hold the protest but the authorities had denied permission.According to the copy of the notice addressed to their guardians seen by The Wire, the three youths were arrested on July 23 under Sections 61(2)(b), 353(1), and 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), with Section 152 dealing with acts alleged to endanger the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India, including incitement to secession, armed rebellion, or separatist activities. Family members said that the police sought custody of the accused for further interrogation, but the court declined the request and remanded them to judicial custody.“The police wanted them in police remand, but the judge denied it,” Ayub Ali said.Officer-in-charge of Laluk Police Station, Simanta Pathak confirmed the case. He said, “I can give you more updates once I get permission from my in-charge.”