Assam activist held under NSA, rights groups cry foul

Over 60 civil rights groups have condemned the detention of Assam-based environmental and Indigenous rights activist Pranab Doley under the National Security Act (NSA), calling it an attempt to punish dissent. Doley was arrested on July 30, a day after securing bail from a sessions court, for leading protests against a luxury resort proposed inside Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Doley was initially arrested on July 12 on charges of masterminding a June 28 demonstration and attacking police. The sessions court granted him bail on July 29, finding no evidence of violence and noting his arrest notice was served belatedly. The next day, the Assam government imposed the NSA, which allows detention without trial for up to 12 months. The NSA notice claims Doley violated the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act through suspicious foreign transactions.

The luxury hotel, linked to a Hyatt-affiliated company Juniper Hotels, is being built on land leased by the Assam Tourism Development Corporation. Hyatt has distanced itself from the project. Indigenous tea tribes facing eviction have petitioned the Gauhati High Court, alleging the land was forcibly acquired. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the case reflects a pattern of the BJP weaponising extraordinary laws to silence dissent. The rights groups demand the NSA be revoked, a probe into police excesses, and a full disclosure of land allotments in the park.