Authorities in the Indian state of Assam have detained activist Pranab Doley under the National Security Act, a law that permits extended detention without trial. Doley was originally granted bail on July 29 after being arrested for his participation in a June protest against a proposed five-star hotel near Kaziranga National Park. However, his release was denied on July 30 after the state government invoked the act, citing a history of alleged criminal activity and suspicious financial transactions.
The detention follows a June 28 protest where police alleged that demonstrators damaged equipment and attacked officers at the site of a luxury resort project. While Doley was accused of inciting the crowd, a judge who reviewed video footage during the bail hearing stated the recordings did not support claims of a direct attack on officers or attempts to burn machinery. The judge noted that Doley appeared to be seeking dialogue with officials during the event.
The dispute centers on a 10-acre luxury hotel project developed by Juniper Hotels, a partnership involving the Saraf Group and the American Hyatt group. The Assam government and local officials maintain the land is state-owned and that the project will generate investment and jobs. Conversely, dozens of local families claim they have cultivated the land for generations and possess land revenue receipts dating back to 1956.
The government's detention order for Doley cites 13 criminal cases registered since 2017, including allegations of unlawful assembly, intimidation, and obstruction. It also questions the source of funds for his international travel and alleges suspicious foreign transactions. Doley’s lawyer, Mrityunjoy Pegu, stated that most of the older cases have been resolved and characterized Doley as an activist who advocates for the rights of indigenous communities living near the park.
For the affected families, the outcome of this dispute determines their physical residence and primary source of livelihood. A local resident, Geeta Gwala, reported that her family has cultivated nearly three acres of the site for decades; losing this access would change her household's daily economic activity and legal standing. The district administration has offered financial assistance and job skills training to eligible residents, but the timing and exact amount of this support remains tied to a verification process that is currently subject to legal challenges and boundary disputes.
This case sets a precedent for how the National Security Act is used against activists involved in land rights movements in India. It also impacts the investment climate for international hospitality brands like Hyatt, as the project faces continued local opposition and judicial review. The next steps in the legal process include a court-ordered demarcation exercise to establish land boundaries and further judicial proceedings regarding Doley's detention. A specific date for the next court hearing or the start of hotel construction was not reported.