Guwahati: Opposition parties, civil society organisations and land rights groups staged a demonstration at Chachal in Guwahati on Saturday, demanding the unconditional release of indigenous land rights activist Pranab Doley and withdrawal of the National Security Act (NSA) action against him. The protest was organised by the Bhumi Adhikar Joutha Sangram Samiti (BAJSS). Protesters alleged that invoking the NSA against Doley was an attempt to suppress land rights movements and discourage voices representing indigenous communities.
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Doley was arrested on July 12 following protests against a proposed luxury tourism project at Inglay Pathar near Kaziranga National Park. Although he was granted bail on July 29, the Assam government invoked the NSA against him on July 30, citing concerns related to public order and security. BAJSS convenor Subrata Talukdar said the agitation would continue until Doley was released unconditionally and the NSA action was withdrawn.
Several opposition leaders, including Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi and Assam Jatiya Parishad president Lurinjyoti Gogoi, joined the protest and criticised the detention. Representatives of Congress, AJP, Raijor Dal and ASDC also participated. The protesters also raised broader concerns over land acquisition, development projects and the proposed changes to Kaziranga’s eco-sensitive zone. They warned that the campaign would be intensified if their demands were not addressed. The controversy has drawn wider attention, with UN human rights experts previously expressing concern over the detention of Doley and other activists linked to protests against the tourism project.
