Activist Pranab Doley, who has been leading protests against the proposed construction of luxury hotels near Assam’s Kaziranga National Park, was detained by Dispur Police on Sunday and taken to Dispur Police Station for questioning.
Videos shared on social media showed Doley raising objections while being escorted by police personnel. He alleged that he had been detained without being shown any official documents.
“We can’t even be the voice of the people. What kind of democracy is this? I was arrested without any papers and brought here. What kind of democracy is this?” Doley said in the videos.
According to sources, Doley has been booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 61(2), 191(2), 191(3), 190, 329(3), 324(2), 221, 132, 121, 121(1), 121(2), 351(3), 74, 326(g) and 62.
Police said the case has been registered at Bokakhat Police Station and that Doley will be handed over to Bokakhat Police for further legal proceedings.
A member of Assam’s indigenous Mising community, Doley has been actively campaigning against the proposed hospitality projects near Kaziranga, expressing concerns over their environmental implications and the rights of local communities.
An MSW graduate from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Doley has founded or co-founded several organisations, including the Centre for North East Studies and Policy Advocacy (CNAPA), the All Kaziranga Affected Communities’ Rights Committee, the People Ecology Network and the Jyoti Bishnu Cultural and Research Centre. Through these platforms, he has worked on issues relating to indigenous rights, environmental conservation, sustainable development and community welfare.
Assam Police sources said Bokakhat Police were on their way to take custody of Doley, as the case was registered in their jurisdiction.
