GUWAHATI, Aug 22: Opposition parties and civil society groups on Saturday staged a demonstration at Chachal in Guwahati demanding the unconditional release of land rights activist Pranab Doley and the withdrawal of the National Security Act (NSA) action against him.
The protest was organised by the Bhumi Adhikar Joutha Sangram Samiti (BAJSS). Participants alleged that the Assam government’s decision to invoke the NSA against Doley was intended to suppress the land rights movement and silence voices raising concerns over indigenous communities.
Doley, a prominent indigenous rights activist and convenor of the Greater Kaziranga Land and Human Rights Protection Committee, has been opposing a proposed Hyatt luxury resort project at Inglay Pathar (also referred to as Ingle Pathar or Hatikhuli) near Kaziranga National Park. He was arrested on July 12 following a protest against the project. A Golaghat sessions court granted him bail on July 29, but the state government invoked the NSA the following day, citing concerns related to public order and security of the state. He remains in detention.
BAJSS convenor Subrata Talukdar said the agitation would continue until Doley was released unconditionally and the NSA action withdrawn. He questioned the use of a stringent national security law against an activist campaigning on land and development issues.
Raijor Dal president and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi accused the government of attempting to weaken the land rights movement by detaining activists, claiming the NSA could create fear and disrupt organised campaigns. Assam Jatiya Parishad president Lurinjyoti Gogoi also condemned the detention, asserting that citizens have constitutional and democratic rights to raise concerns over land and public issues. He further opposed the proposed Satellite Township Bill, alleging it could adversely affect indigenous communities.
Leaders and representatives from the Congress, Assam Jatiya Parishad, Raijor Dal and the Autonomous State Demand Committee joined the demonstration, along with members of land rights groups and community organisations from Kaziranga, Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Rabha Hasong, the Bodoland Territorial Region and Tiwa areas.
Speakers expanded the discussion to broader issues of land acquisition and large-scale development projects across Assam. Concerns were raised over the alleged vulnerability of indigenous land in several regions and proposed changes to the Eco-Sensitive Zone around Kaziranga National Park, with protest leaders warning that any reduction in the protected area could facilitate increased commercial activity.
Protesters submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma seeking Doley’s release, withdrawal of related cases and cancellation of the hotel project. They warned that the movement would be intensified if the demands were not met.