"URGENT ACTION: Immediately Release Indigenous Human Rights Defender Pranab Doley, End the Criminalization of Indigenous Land Defenders in Assam, India", 12 July 2026

… The Indigenous Peoples Rights International (IPRI) strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest and detention of Pranab Doley, an Indigenous human rights defender and a leading advocate for the protection of Indigenous Peoples’ lands, livelihoods, and environmental rights in Assam, India.

The arrest is reportedly linked to a criminal complaint registered at Bokakhat Police Station and follows Mr. Doley’s leadership in the peaceful movement opposing the proposed Hyatt luxury hotel project at Inglay (Inle) Pathar, on the fringes of Kaziranga National Park.

According to credible information received, …, approximately 100 police personnel surrounded the house where Mr. Doley was staying in Guwahati and arrested him without producing an arrest warrant. His mobile phone was immediately confiscated, and he was denied contact with supporters…

According to available information, authorities have brought 13 criminal charges against him, at least three of which are non-bailable…

We have also received alarming reports that police raided Mr. Doley’s ancestral home in search of Mr. Rajiv Pegu, another member of the Greater Kaziranga Land and Human Rights Protection Committee…

IPRI is deeply concerned that this arrest appears to be a deliberate attempt to silence Indigenous voices resisting the acquisition of Indigenous lands for the proposed Hyatt hotel project…

IPRI urgently calls on the Government of India to:

• Immediately and unconditionally release Pranab Doley.
• Guarantee his physical and psychological wellbeing and integrity and ensure his immediate access to legal counsel, family members, and independent medical care.
• Cease all acts of intimidation, surveillance, harassment, and criminalization …
• Withdraw any charges that are intended to punish the legitimate exercise of the rights …
• Immediately halt any process of land acquisition related to the proposed Hyatt hotel project until the rights of affected Indigenous communities have been fully respected, including their right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent…