Assam Police Detains CJP Co-Convener and Volunteers Ahead of Guwahati Meet

Assam Police detained Cockroach Janta Party co-convener Ashutosh Ranka and at least 30 other volunteers ahead of their scheduled meeting in Guwahati on Sunday. CJP alleged that the police did not allow their legal counsel to speak to the detained members. Ranka was picked up from a private residence before the event.

Venue Changes and Barricades

The group initially planned to meet at the Assam Shree Parshuram Seva Sadan in Athgaon, where over 500 volunteers from across Assam and the Northeast were expected to assemble. Venue management withdrew permission due to what the party called intense state pressure, forcing a move to Chowdhury Tila. Police later barricaded the roads leading to the site and deployed tear gas readiness.

Press Conference and Demands

Following the detentions, CJP held a press conference opposite the Assam secretariat at Chowdhury Tila. The conference was led by NCP-SP national spokesperson Anish Gawande, CJP member Saifur Rehman, and civil society coordinator Paresh Malakar, who demanded a public explanation from the police. Founder Abhijeet Dipke warned on social media that he and other members would travel to Assam if the detainees were not released.

Context

Political gatherings and regional group meet-ups often face strict police scrutiny and venue restrictions when state authorities express security or public order concerns. Independent political outfits and civil society groups frequently use social media platforms like X to broadcast live updates and gather public support during detentions.