CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka, team detained in Guwahati

Assam Police detained Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convener Ashutosh Ranka and over 30 party volunteers in Guwahati on Sunday, hours before the party's first regional volunteers' meeting, the CJP said. The party alleged that police barricaded access roads to the relocated venue at Chowdhury Tila, opposite the Assam Secretariat, and deployed tear-gas equipment. The original venue at Assam Shree Parshuram Seva Sadan had withdrawn permission, which the CJP blamed on state pressure. Police have not issued a statement on the detentions.

Before his detention, Ranka accused Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of fearing exposure of poor school conditions and alleged corporate land grabs in Kaziranga. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke asked Sarma, "Why so scared, Himanta?" The Hindustan Times reported that CJP members were detained while preparing for a meeting on the condition of Assam's schools. The Hindu quoted Ranka saying Sarma is scared of the reality of schools and rights being taken away in Kaziranga.

Update, 30 September 2026: Times Now reported that 41 people, including six women, were detained, while Deccan Herald put the figure at over 40. Hindustan Times said over 30 CJP workers, including four central committee members, were detained. The New Indian Express reported that opposition parties in Assam, including Congress, Raijor Dal, AJP and AAP, condemned the detentions and demanded the activists' release. BJP leader Manab Deka responded to Dipke by saying Assam ‘has never bowed to threats’.