Bokakhat: Thousands of citizens, along with leaders and representatives of various political and non-political organisations, took to the streets of Bokakhat on Sunday demanding the unconditional release of land and human rights activist Pranab Doley, who is currently being detained under the National Security Act (NSA).
The massive demonstration, organised by the Pranab Doley Release Demand Committee, was marked by tension after authorities reportedly locked the gates of Mising Jironi Sora (Mising Rest House), the designated venue for the citizens’ assembly, preventing the scheduled meeting from taking place.
The closure triggered protests, with demonstrators blocking the National Highway and marching for nearly a kilometre while raising slogans, including “BJP Government Go Back” and “Free Pranab Doley”. The gathering was subsequently shifted to Doley’s own residence in Bokakhat town, where political leaders, activists and members of civil society addressed the protesters.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi alleged that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had imprisoned Doley to remove opposition to a controversial luxury hotel project on Adivasi and Mising farming lands abutting Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR). He said the government’s actions could have serious consequences for the future of Kaziranga.
Asom Jatiya Parishad president Lurinjyoti Gogoi also alleged that Doley’s detention was linked to opposition to the proposed Hyatt hotel project. He accused the government of acting in the interests of capitalists at the expense of local resources and the rights of communities.
Former IAS officer John Ingti Kathar criticised the state government over what he described as an attempt by the state machinery to curtail citizens’ fundamental rights. He alleged that dissenters and activists were being falsely portrayed as anti-national for opposing government policies and projects.
Advocate Kishore Kumar Kalita said democratic rights were being “crushed” and alleged that Doley’s continued detention was aimed at suppressing legitimate movements for land rights.
The protest brought together a broad coalition of political parties, farmers’ and workers’ organisations, and civil society groups, including the Congress, Raijor Dal, Asom Jatiya Parishad CPI, Jeepal Krishak-Shramik Sangha and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti.
The participating organisations unanimously resolved to launch a united democratic movement against what they described as the government’s oppressive land policies and to intensify the demand for Doley’s release.
The protest comes amid legal challenge to Doley’s detention under the NSA. On August 27, the Gauhati High Court sought the Centre and Assam government’s response to a writ petition challenging his preventive detention and directed the Home and Political Department of Assam government to appear before it on September 14.
Doley was arrested on July 12 in connection with Bokakhat Police Station Case No. 108/2026, registered over protests at the proposed hotel project site at Inlay Pathar, a village adjoining Kaziranga. The Additional Sessions Judge, Golaghat, granted him bail on July 29 on a bond of Rs 20,000 with one surety. The Assam government issued an NSA detention order against him the following day, before he could be released.
In its bail order, the Golaghat court questioned several aspects of the prosecution’s case. It noted that there was no prima facie video evidence showing protesters directly attacking police personnel and that the machetes and sharp sticks allegedly carried by protesters had not been recovered.
On the allegation that protesters attempted to set a cement mixer on fire, the court noted that video footage showed a woman pouring diesel on the machine but did not show an attempt to ignite it.
The court further observed that allegations concerning the alleged assault on women police personnel were general and were not specifically attributed to Doley or any identified individual.
The prosecution had also cited alleged suspicious domestic and foreign funds, overseas travel and money received from the Delhi-based Environics Trust while opposing bail. The court held that these allegations did not justify Doley’s continued custody in the case, noting that key witness statements had been recorded, video evidence secured and his passport seized, reducing the risk of him fleeing or tampering with evidence.
The court also observed that the protests were rooted in concerns over environmental degradation and their impact on the socio-cultural fabric of local Tea Tribes, and called for structured and peaceful dialogue among stakeholders.
The NSA detention order issued on July 30 under Section 3(2) of the Act cited a report from the Senior Superintendent of Police, Golaghat, along with case records, statements and intelligence inputs. It referred to 13 criminal cases registered against Doley between 2017 and 2026 and said his activities were prejudicial to the maintenance of public order and the security of the State.
On August 7, the Gauhati High Court, hearing a separate petition filed by Doley’s father, directed the Superintendent of District Jail, Golaghat, to facilitate meetings between Doley and his father and allowed him to meet a legal adviser of his choice. The court held that his father did not need to obtain permission from the district magistrate to meet him.
The Gauhati High Court is scheduled to hear the challenge to Doley’s preventive detention on September 14.