[STATEMENT] APNED Calls for the Immediate Release of Indigenous Environmental Defender Pranab Doley

 

The Asia Pacific Network of Environmental Defenders (APNED) joins Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, environmental defenders, human rights groups, and civil society in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Pranab Doley, an Indigenous land and environmental rights defender arrested by Assam Police in Guwahati, India, on 12 July 2026.

Doley was arrested in connection with Bokakhat Police Station Case No. 108/2026, filed following a 28 June protest concerning a luxury hotel project at Ingleng Pathar, near Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. Police allege that protesters unlawfully entered the project site, obstructed construction, damaged property, threatened workers, and assaulted police personnel. Doley has been charged under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, rioting, obstruction of public servants, trespass, intimidation, and property damage. On 13 July, he was reportedly produced before the Bokakhat District Court and remanded to seven days of police custody.

Serious concerns surround the manner and context of his arrest. Doley stated that police did not show him an arrest warrant or other official papers when he was taken into custody. Human rights groups also reported that a large police contingent was deployed and described the case as part of repeated harassment connected with his advocacy. These allegations require prompt, independent scrutiny. His rights to be informed of the grounds for arrest, to legal counsel, to challenge his detention, to humane treatment, and to due process must be fully guaranteed.

Pranab Doley is a member of Assam’s Indigenous Mising community and convenor of the Greater Kaziranga Land and Human Rights Protection Committee. A social work graduate of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, he has worked for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, land governance, environmental protection, sustainable development, and community welfare. He has helped organize opposition to proposed luxury hotels and resorts near Kaziranga, including a five-star Hyatt project, amid concerns about the displacement of farming families, wildlife movement, ecological harm, and the loss of lands cultivated by Adivasi communities for generations. Twenty affected farming families have petitioned the Gauhati High Court, alleging inadequate consultation and raising environmental and social concerns.

Doley’s work is legitimate human rights work. Environmental human rights defenders play an essential role in protecting ecosystems, biodiversity, livelihoods, and the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. Indigenous defenders also safeguard lands and territories that are crucial to addressing the climate and biodiversity crises. Their rights to expression, peaceful assembly, association, participation, and the defense of human rights are recognized under international human rights standards, including the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Development cannot be considered sustainable when it dispossesses communities, excludes them from decisions, or punishes those who raise concerns. States and businesses must prevent and remedy human rights harm, ensure access to information, justice, and provide a safe and enabling environment in which defenders can act without fear of surveillance, retaliation, or violence.

APNED condemns the use of arrest, detention, and sweeping criminal charges to suppress legitimate environmental and Indigenous rights advocacy. Doley’s arrest reflects a wider pattern of criminalization and judicial harassment faced by environmental human rights defenders across Asia and the Pacific. Such attacks stigmatize defenders as criminals, discourage public participation, weaken community resistance to environmentally destructive projects, and create a chilling effect extending far beyond the person arrested.

We call on the Assam authorities and the Government of India to immediately and unconditionally release Pranab Doley; ensure independent review of the circumstances of his arrest and detention; withdraw charges that are unfounded or imposed in retaliation for peaceful human rights work; and guarantee his safety, legal representation, due process, and protection from further reprisals. Authorities must also ensure meaningful consultation with affected communities and respect Indigenous Peoples’ rights, including applicable standards on free, prior, and informed consent.

We further call for the release of all environmental human rights defenders imprisoned because of their legitimate work, including those held as political prisoners, and for an end to the misuse of criminal and judicial processes against communities defending their lands, territories, and environment.

APNED urges environmental defenders, Indigenous Peoples, climate activists, environmental advocates, lawyers, journalists, and civil society organizations to amplify the demand for Doley’s release, monitor his case, and stand with the affected communities of Kaziranga.

Defend all environmental defenders. Recognize and protect them. Do not attack, criminalize, or imprison those who defend our shared environment and future.

References

Asia Indigenous Peoples Network on Extractive Industries and Energy. (2026, July). India: Immediately release Indigenous rights defender Pranab Doley and withdraw all fabricated charges against him. https://aipnee.org/statements/india-immediately-release-indigenous-rights-defender-pranab-doley-and-withdraw-all-fabricated-charges-against-him/

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. (2026, July). India: IPRI urges immediate release of Indigenous rights defender, alleging an attempt to silence opposition to Hyatt hotel project. https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/india-ipri-urges-for-immediate-release-of-indigenous-rights-defender-alleging-an-attempt-to-silence-opposition-to-hyatt-hotel-project/

Hussain, K. S. (2026, July 13). Indigenous rights activist Pranab Doley arrested over protests against hotel project near Kaziranga. The Wire. https://thewire.in/rights/indigenous-rights-activist-pranab-doley-arrested-hyatt-project-ingle-pathar

International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation. (2026, July 12). Urgent alert: Indigenous Assam activist Pranab Doley arrested. https://www.ipmsdl.org/statement/urgent-alert-indigenous-assam-activist-pranab-doley-arrested/

Parashar, U. (2026, July 12). Assam police arrest land rights activist Pranab Doley over Kaziranga luxury hotel. Hindustan Times. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/assam-police-arrest-land-rights-activist-pranab-doley-over-kaziranga-luxury-hotel-101783865259567.html

Scroll. (2026, July 13). Assam activist leading protests against Kaziranga luxury hotels arrested. Scroll.in. https://scroll.in/latest/1094228/assam-activist-leading-protests-against-kaziranga-luxury-hotels-arrested

The Hindi Bureau. (2026, July 12). Assam activist leading protests against Kaziranga luxury hotels detained. The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/assam/assam-activist-leading-protests-against-kaziranga-luxury-hotels-detained/article71214597.ece

The Arunachal Times. (2026, July 14). Assam Police arrest land rights activist Pranab Doley, NEHRO demands immediate release. https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2026/07/14/assam-police-arrest-land-rights-activist-pranab-doley-nehro-demands-immediate-release/