Assam rights activists attacked for opposing five-star hotel in Kaziranga

Guwahati: In a shocking act of violence in Assam’s Kaziranga , a mob of over 100 people brutally attacked activists working to protect the rights of displaced villagers on Wednesday.

Members of the Greater Kaziranga Land and Human Rights Committee (GKLHRC), Manohar Pegu and Ritupan Pegu, were collecting testimonies from 45 families forcibly evicted to make way for the proposed Hyatt Hotel in Inglay Pathar near Kaziranga National Park (KNP) when they were subjected to a violent assault.

The mob, allegedly instigated by opponents of the GKLHRC’s stance on land rights and environmental issues, threatened and intimidated Manohar Pegu, a NAPM member, and Ritupan Pegu, a GKLHRC member.

The attackers chanted slogans against Pranab Doley and Rajib Pegu, another GKLHRC member, and prevented the activists from leaving the village.

The violence escalated when the mob assaulted Minali Gowala and her daughter, residents of Rongajan and victims of the land acquisition process. Instead of protecting the victims, the Bokakhat Police arrested Geeta Gowala, another affected farmer.

Further, the police refused to intervene when friends of the attacked activists sought help, and instead detained Saurav Patgiri, an independent researcher, and Subham, a local youth.

Pranab Doley, the convenor of GKLHRC, condemned the attack as a pre-planned political move orchestrated by members of the ruling party. He alleged a complete breakdown of law and order in Kaziranga and accused the police of collusion with the mob.

The GKLHRC has been actively opposing the land acquisition for the Hyatt Hotel, citing environmental concerns and the rights of the displaced communities.

The organization has submitted multiple memoranda demanding land rights for the evicted families, whose ancestral land records have been verified.

The incident has sparked outrage among civil society and human rights groups, with calls for immediate action against the perpetrators.

The GKLHRC has demanded the release of those arrested, an impartial investigation into the attack, and security for the affected families.