Pranab Doley's NSA detention sparks protests in Assam

The Congress party is demanding the unconditional release of indigenous rights activist Pranab Doley, who has been detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in Assam. Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president and MP Gaurav Gogoi accused the state government of using the stringent law to suppress dissent and silence those protesting the erosion of indigenous land rights.

Doley was previously arrested in connection with protests against a proposed five-star hotel near Kaziranga National Park. Although he was granted bail in July, he was subsequently detained under the NSA. Gogoi alleged that the detention is part of a conspiracy to undermine the uniqueness of the UNESCO World Heritage Site to benefit corporate interests.

In addition to Doley's release, Gogoi called for the revocation of a decision to reduce the boundaries of Kaziranga’s Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) from 10 km to between 1 and 3 km. During a protest meeting in Bokakhat, organizers reported that local authorities blocked access to a scheduled venue, forcing the gathering to move to a local resident's courtyard.