Representatives of 26 indigenous tribes from seven continents have voiced the concern over the arrest of activist Pranab Doley and the issues concerning land rights in Kaziranga in Assam.
These representatives, who have gathered in Kenya for a meeting, demanded the release of Assam-based indigenous rights activist Pranab Doley and justice for indigenous and Adivasi families who are on the verge of losing their lands near Kaziranga National Park.
Doley, convenor of the Greater Kaziranga Land and Human Rights Protection Committee, was arrested on July 12, 2026, in connection with protests against a proposed luxury hotel project at Inglay Pathar near Kaziranga.
Several indigenous and Adivasi families have opposed the proposed project, claiming that for generations they have been cultivating and using the land where the proposed projects will come up. The issue has subsequently emerged as a wider debate over Indigenous land rights, community consent and development in the Kaziranga landscape.
The international indigenous representatives meeting in Kenya expressed solidarity with Doley and the affected families, calling for their concerns to be addressed and for justice in the ongoing land dispute.
Doley’s arrest followed protests against the proposed hospitality project, with authorities registering cases over alleged offences during the demonstrations. Supporters of Doley have maintained that his campaign is focused on protecting the land rights and interests of Indigenous and Adivasi communities.
The solidarity expressed in Kenya has given the land row in Kaziranga an international dimension, bringing attention to the concerns of communities living around one of Assam’s most important protected landscapes.
