Assam Activist Detained Under NSA Following Bail, Escalating Tensions Over Kaziranga Hotel Project

The Assam government has escalated its crackdown on dissent by invoking the National Security Act (NSA) against activist Pranab Doley, just one day after he was granted bail by a sessions court in Golaghat. This move has raised eyebrows among advocates of civil liberties and human rights, as it effectively nullifies the court’s bail order, ensuring that Doley remains in custody.

Golaghat District Commissioner Biswajit Phukan confirmed that the NSA was applied based on a police report, which detailed a series of allegations against Doley. The government’s communication to him outlined 13 distinct cases, accusing him of inciting animosity towards the state, provoking communal violence, and obstructing public officials in their duties, among other serious charges.

In addition to these allegations, authorities have accused Doley of engaging in “suspicious foreign transactions from dubious sources,” claiming violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. The implications of these accusations suggest a broader strategy by the state to suppress dissenting voices, particularly those opposing government-sanctioned projects.

Doley’s troubles began on July 12, when he was arrested alongside another activist during a protest against a luxury hotel project at Ingle Pathar, a locality near the Kaziranga National Park. This protest was part of a larger movement opposing the encroachment of development projects into ecologically sensitive areas. Police reports alleged that Doley unlawfully entered the site of the Tea Tribes Museum and subsequently trespassed into the nearby Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) Hyatt project, allegedly armed with deadly weapons.

The invocation of the NSA in this case has been met with criticism from various quarters, including civil rights organizations and political opponents, who argue that such measures are an infringement on fundamental rights and a tactic to stifle activism. As the situation unfolds, many are watching closely to see how this case will impact the ongoing discourse around development, environmental conservation, and civil liberties in Assam.

Source: scroll.in