Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convener Ashutosh Ranka was released by Assam Police on Sunday evening, hours after he and more than 40 volunteers were detained in Guwahati. The group was picked up from the residence of Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) leader Kunki Chowdhury at Chowdhury Tilla ahead of a meeting.
Ranka Calls the Detention Illegal
Ranka announced the release on X and said the party asked police to drop them back where they were picked up. The illegal detention by Assam Police has finally ended.
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Police Gave No Reason, Says CJP
Ranka said police could not tell them on what basis they were held and claimed they had orders from the top. CJP spokesperson Anish Gawande alleged that detainees received no legal notice and were not told which sections of law were invoked. Party founder Abhijeet Dipke said lawyers were not allowed to meet the detained persons.
Who Was Detained and Where They Were Taken
- The detainees included 41 local volunteers, two Ranka associates, and six women, and the oldest was a 72-year-old woman.
- The group was taken to the 10th Assam Police battalion headquarters in Kahilipara.
- Some detainees were first taken to Dispur police station.
What the Meeting Was Meant to Cover
Ranka said the volunteers planned to discuss the state of Assam’s schools, the rights of indigenous people in Kaziranga, and how constituency boundaries were drawn before the April election.
Attack on Himanta Biswa Sarma
Ranka accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of fearing the party’s questions and using police to threaten it. He also said Sarma had repeated the mistake made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the Jantar Mantar protest in Delhi. We want schools for our children and jobs for our youth.
Press Meet Opposite the Secretariat
Ranka said he would speak to the media at Chowdhury Tilla, opposite the state secretariat in Dispur, where the group was picked up. The venue is a pointed choice, placing the party’s message within sight of the seat of government.
