New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday sharply criticised the Assam government following the detention of indigenous rights activist Pranab Doley under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). This move came barely a day after a district court had granted him bail, prompting the opposition to allege a "blatant misuse" of preventive detention laws and an overreach by the state administration.
Doley's arrest is linked to his support for villagers protesting a proposed five-star resort near the ecologically sensitive Kaziranga National Park. Reports suggest this project has the backing of the Assam Chief Minister. Indigenous residents of Golaghat district have been vocal in their opposition since 2022, even petitioning the Gauhati High Court, claiming their land was forcibly acquired for the development.
A Congress general secretary in-charge of communications stated that the invocation of the NSA against Doley on July 30, immediately after his bail on July 29, exemplifies a worrying trend. The party accused BJP governments of "weaponising" extraordinary laws to silence critical voices and suppress legitimate dissent across the country.
The opposition underscored that such actions represent a significant threat to democratic principles and the rights of citizens to protest against projects they deem harmful or unjust. The sessions court, in granting Doley bail earlier, had made certain observations, though the specific details were not provided in the party's statement.
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