Assam Activist Pranab Doley Arrested Amid Protests Against Luxury Hotel Near Kaziranga

In a significant turn of events, Pranab Doley, an activist known for his staunch opposition to a proposed luxury hotel near Kaziranga National Park, was apprehended by authorities on Sunday. His arrest is linked to a protest that took place on June 28 in the Golaghat district, where he was accused of orchestrating unlawful assembly and inciting unrest against the hotel project.

Doley faces serious charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, obstruction of public servants, and rioting. According to a police official from Guwahati, the arrest was made based on a First Information Report (FIR) filed by Sub-Inspector Sujib Basumatary, who leads the Kohora outpost under the Bokakhat police jurisdiction. The FIR specifies Doley as the mastermind behind the alleged disturbances at Rongajan field, a prime location that serves as the main entry point to Kaziranga National Park.

The controversy surrounding the hotel project has raised alarms among local communities, particularly the 1,500 Aadivasi families who rely on the surrounding land for their livelihoods. The planned hotel is set to be constructed at Ingleng Pathar, an area where approximately 45 farming families cultivate crops on a 19-acre plot. Residents fear that the hotel’s establishment would not only disrupt their agricultural practices but also lead to significant environmental degradation in the vicinity of the national park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Activists and local residents have expressed their concerns about the potential negative impact of such a commercial project on both the ecosystem and their way of life. Kaziranga National Park is known for its rich biodiversity, including the Indian rhinoceros, and any development that threatens this balance is met with fierce opposition. Doley’s arrest has sparked outrage among supporters, who view it as a suppression of voices advocating for environmental protection and community rights.

Despite the ongoing tensions, the state government and hotel developers maintain that the project will adhere to all environmental regulations and contribute to local economy by creating jobs and promoting tourism. However, this stance has not quelled the dissent among those who prioritize preserving the natural habitat over commercial expansion.

Source: scroll.in