Assam police arrest land rights activist Pranab Doley over Kaziranga luxury hotel

Assam Police Arrest Land Rights Activist in Kaziranga Hotel Dispute

Assam police arrest land rights activist - The Assam police have taken action against Pranab Doley, a prominent land rights activist, in connection with a controversial luxury hotel project near Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR). The arrest, which occurred on June 29, was made by a team from Dispur police station in Guwahati, locating Doley in the Sundarpur locality. He was charged under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including criminal conspiracy, intimidation of public servants, unlawful assembly, and criminal trespass, all linked to his opposition to the hotel development. This marks a significant moment in the ongoing struggle between local communities and the government's infrastructure plans.

Doley, a 40-year-old leader of the Greater Kaziranga Land and Human Rights Protection Committee (GKLHRPC), has been a vocal advocate for preserving the ecological and cultural integrity of the region. His arrest highlights the growing tensions between development initiatives and grassroots movements in Assam. The luxury hotel project, situated within the UNESCO World Heritage Site, has drawn criticism for its potential to disrupt wildlife corridors and threaten the habitat of the endangered one-horned rhino. Doley and his supporters argue that the construction would cause irreversible environmental harm, citing concerns about deforestation and pollution.

Background of the Kaziranga Luxury Hotel Project

The luxury hotel project, which was announced by the Assam government in 2023, is part of a larger initiative to boost tourism and economic growth in the northeastern state. Located adjacent to Kaziranga National Park, the development includes a high-end resort and ancillary facilities designed to attract both domestic and international visitors. However, the project has sparked widespread protests from local residents and environmentalists, who view it as a threat to the park's delicate ecosystem. The GKLHRPC, which Doley leads, has been at the forefront of these demonstrations, organizing rallies and distributing petitions to raise awareness about the impact of the hotel on the region.

The charges against Doley stem from his alleged role in orchestrating protests that reportedly disrupted construction work and delayed the project's progress. According to an anonymous Guwahati police official, the arrests were conducted under Section 120A of the BNS, which addresses criminal conspiracy. The police team, comprising officers from Dispur station, claimed that Doley’s activities had hindered the efficient implementation of the development plan. Despite this, Doley maintains that his arrest was