The Community Network Against Protected Areas (CNAPA) has “strongly condemned the recent violent attack” on political activist Pranab Doley and members of the Greater Kaziranga Land and Human Rights Committee (GKLHRC) in Rongajan Village, Kaziranga Constituency, Assam.
The attack, which took place while the activists were documenting testimonies of 45 families facing displacement due to a proposed Hyatt Hotel in Inglay Pathar, has raised serious concerns about law and order in the region.
“This was not just an attack on individuals, but an assault on the fundamental rights of an entire community,” said a spokesperson from CNAPA.
“Pranab Doley and his colleagues have been fearlessly advocating for the rights of the local people, and this violence was clearly orchestrated to silence them.”
Among the victims were Manohar Pegu, Ritupan Pegu, Minali Gowala, and her daughter, who were brutally assaulted by a mob allegedly backed by political elements. The Bokakhat Police have been accused of not only refusing to take action against the attackers but also unlawfully detaining activists Geeta Gowala, Saurav Patgiri, and Subham, who were seeking justice.
“The police’s failure to protect these activists and their subsequent attack on those seeking justice is a blatant miscarriage of justice,” the spokesperson added.
CNAPA has demanded the immediate release of those detained by the police and has called for an impartial investigation into the mob attack and the attempted murder of Pranab Doley and Rajib Pegu. They also urged authorities to hold the police accountable for their alleged misconduct and to provide protection for the 45 families threatened with displacement.
“The violent suppression of voices advocating for justice and the rights of displaced communities is a grave threat to democracy and human rights,” CNAPA said.
The Community Network is urging all allies, national and international organizations, and the broader public to join them in condemning this violence and demanding justice for the victims.
The Community Network Against Protected Areas (CNAPA) is a coalition of indigenous peoples, forest-dwelling communities, grassroots organizations, activists, and academics from across India. They strive to protect the rights and dignity of communities within and around protected areas.
