Assam Activist's Arrest Fuels Debate Over Indigenous Land Rights Near Kaziranga

Guwahati, July 15, 2026: The arrest of indigenous rights activist Pranab Doley has intensified the controversy surrounding a proposed luxury hotel project near Assam's Kaziranga National Park, prompting criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups over the treatment of protesters and the future of indigenous land rights in the region.

Doley was arrested by Dispur Police on July 12, days after participating in demonstrations against the proposed Hyatt hotel project at Ingle Pathar, a village bordering the UNESCO World Heritage Site. He was later produced before the Bokakhat District Court, which remanded him to seven days of police custody.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), police have accused Doley of unlawfully entering the Tea Tribes Museum premises and later trespassing into the hotel project site while carrying deadly weapons. His supporters have rejected the allegations, describing them as politically motivated and linked to his opposition to the development project.

The proposed hotel has become a contentious issue, with indigenous organisations, environmental activists, and local residents expressing concern over its proximity to Kaziranga National Park and its potential impact on ecologically sensitive areas and traditional community lands.

A prominent advocate for indigenous land rights, Doley has emerged as one of the leading voices opposing the project. Protesters argue that commercial development near the national park threatens both the fragile ecosystem and the rights of indigenous communities living around the protected area.

Videos circulating on social media after his arrest show Doley questioning the legality of his detention. In the footage, he alleges that police arrested him without presenting any official documents.

"We can't even be the voice of the people. What kind of democracy is this? I was arrested without any papers," Doley is heard saying while being escorted by police.

Members of Doley's family alleged that police searched his residence shortly after his arrest. They also confirmed that another activist, Bijit Kutum, was arrested the same day in connection with the protests.

The arrests have drawn sharp criticism from activists and opposition leaders, who contend that the state government is suppressing peaceful dissent instead of addressing concerns over indigenous land rights and environmental conservation.

The issue was also raised in the Assam Legislative Assembly, where legislators from the Raijor Dal demanded the release of Doley and fellow activist Aditya Rabha. Opposition members accused the government of using police action to silence those challenging large-scale development projects.

The Assam government has defended both the hotel project and the police action, stating that the tourism development initiative is intended to generate employment and economic opportunities while complying with legal and environmental regulations. Officials have maintained that the arrests were based on alleged violations of the law and were unrelated to the activists' political views.

The controversy has renewed attention to the longstanding tensions between conservation, tourism development, and the rights of indigenous communities in Assam. While Kaziranga National Park remains one of India's premier wildlife reserves and home to the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, communities living on its fringes have repeatedly raised concerns about land ownership, displacement, and the expansion of commercial projects.

As the investigation continues, Doley's arrest is expected to remain a focal point in the wider debate over balancing environmental conservation, economic development, and the rights of indigenous peoples in Assam.

Courtesy : The Wire

Photo: Video screengrab.