Assam Congress MP Condemns Detention of Young People, Influencers and Activists in Guwahati

: Assam Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday condemned the reported detention of young people, influencers and activists in Guwahati following the detention of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convener Ashutosh Ranka and several party volunteers. In a post on X, Gogoi described the reported detentions as “completely unacceptable and illegal” and questioned why the BJP was allegedly “scared” of young people. “I condemn the detaining of many Assamese young people, influencers and activists in Guwahati. This is completely unacceptable and illegal,” Gogoi wrote. He further alleged that the BJP was concerned about young people rejecting what he described as the party’s “Hindu-Muslim polarization”. “Why is the BJP so scared of the youth? Is it because the youth have rejected the Hindu-Muslim polarization of the BJP?” he said. Gogoi also alleged that attempts were being made to “steal their vote and block their voice”, adding, “I stand with the youth of Assam.” His comments came after Assam Police detained Ranka and several CJP members and volunteers in Guwahati shortly before a scheduled regional volunteers’ meeting, according to reports and the organisation. The CJP claimed that more than 30 party workers had been detained, while the organisation put the figure at around 50. The higher figure could not be independently verified. Those reportedly detained included Ranka, Ankit Bhardwaj, Prem Aakash and several Assam-based volunteers. According to the CJP, some participants who had travelled to Guwahati for the meeting were also detained as they arrived at the venue. The organisation alleged that police barricades were placed around the area and that a significant security presence was deployed. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also claimed that lawyers who reached the location were not being allowed to meet the detainees. The claim was reported by multiple outlets but could not be independently verified. The CJP had planned its regional volunteers’ meeting at Chaudhary Tila, opposite the Assam Secretariat, after the venue was reportedly changed from an earlier location in Athgaon. The organisation had a press conference to address the reported detentions and disruption of the meeting.