Arrest of Pranab Doley Exposes State Campaign to Silence Tribal Voices in Assam

The recent arrest of activist Pranab Doley in Assam exposes how the BJP government uses state power to crush local voices for corporate profit. Doley was locked up by police simply for standing against a luxury hotel project near the famous Kaziranga National Park. This is not just a legal battle. It is a direct attack on indigenous people who have lived on these lands for generations. The Greater Kaziranga Land and Human Rights Protection Committee has rightfully condemned this move as a targeted act of state violence. This government prefers helping wealthy hotel chains over protecting the poor tribal families who belong to the land. The actions of the state reveal a clear plan to silence anyone who dares to demand justice for the marginalized and the displaced.

The Theft of Tribal Land at Inlay Pathar

The state is currently busy taking indigenous agricultural and grazing land at Inlay Pathar in the Golaghat district. This land is being stolen to build a massive luxury five star hotel linked to the Hyatt group. The BJP led government signed this deal with Juniper Hotels in two thousand twenty three to favor big business. To clear the space nearly sixty bighas of community land were seized without any talk with the actual owners. In two thousand twenty four forty five tribal families were thrown out of their homes even though they held valid land tax records. This eviction shows the heartless nature of the current regime that ignores the legal rights of its own people to benefit corporate giants.

Weaponizing the Law Against Activists

The regime is actively using the legal system to silence anyone who fights back against their plans. Local families took their case to the Gauhati High Court to stop this unlawful land grab and protect their rights. Even the National Green Tribunal warned that the project hurts critical wildlife corridors. Instead of listening the state hit back with severe criminal cases to break their spirit. Following a protest in June the police charged Doley and fifteen other people with serious crimes like rioting and conspiracy. These charges carry long prison terms. The government is clearly using these extreme laws to scare activists and destroy any organized resistance to their corporate agenda. The state wants total silence while they loot the land.

A History of Forced Evictions

This is the standard playbook for the BJP government in Assam. For over a decade the state has used wildlife protection as an excuse to drive thousands of indigenous families from their homes near Kaziranga. Back in September two thousand sixteen a massive eviction drive in nearby villages displaced hundreds and caused the tragic deaths of two local residents during protests. Data shows that over three thousand families have faced the threat of eviction in this region since two thousand ten. The government treats tribal communities as obstacles that must be cleared away to make room for commercial expansion and eco tourism. They do not value the people who have been here for centuries.

The False Promise of Economic Growth

The government sells these luxury resorts as a way to create jobs but the truth is very different. Large hotels owned by corporations rarely provide real work for the local farmers they displace. These projects destroy the fertile agricultural land and grazing fields that families need to survive. Statistics show that over seventy percent of the money from high end tourism leaves the area for corporate bank accounts. The promise of development is just a lie. The people who belong to the land are pushed into poverty so that wealthy tourists can enjoy luxury resorts built on stolen ground. It is a system built to benefit the rich at the cost of the poor.

Destroying Nature and Wildlife

The government does not care about the environment either. Kaziranga is home to the world famous one horned rhinoceros and is a vital habitat for elephants. Animals need traditional paths known as wildlife corridors to move safely during seasonal floods. Building a massive resort blocks these paths and leads to dangerous human wildlife conflicts. Reports prove that infrastructure development near the park has caused a thirty percent rise in animal deaths over the last fifteen years. This government prefers building concrete hotels over saving the unique wildlife that the world actually values. It shows their lack of true commitment to real conservation efforts.

Systematic Harassment of Citizens

The way police treated Pranab Doley shows a clear pattern of state harassment. Doley was held for twelve hours without any reason given. The police finally served a notice eighteen hours after taking him in. They raided his home twice without a warrant and stole his laptop. They even grabbed two other activists. This is a clear move to frighten local leaders and break the spirit of the people. The government wants to ensure that no one stands up against their land grabbing schemes. They operate with total impunity to crush any voice that threatens their power.

A Path Toward Real Justice

The government of Assam must end this path of destruction and cruelty. Pranab Doley and his fellow activists must be released immediately with all false charges dropped. Authorities need to stop serving corporate greed and start talking to the affected Adivasi families. True progress means respecting the rights of the weakest members of society rather than attacking them. The state should protect the environment and support community led tourism instead of building luxury hotels on ruined lives. The survival of these people is more important than the profits of a hotel chain. Everyone must demand accountability for these actions now. It is time for the people to stand up and reclaim their rights from this oppressive system.