CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka and party workers detained in Guwahati ahead of Assam volunteers’ meeting (Images: X)
Guwahati: More than 30 workers of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), including four members of its central committee were detained by Assam Police in Guwahati on Sunday ahead of the party’s scheduled regional volunteers’ meeting according to the party.
CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka, who was among those detained alleged that police action was carried out despite the meeting being planned peacefully at a private location.
The party’s regional volunteers’ meeting was scheduled to take place at 10 am at Assam Shree Parshuram Seva Sadan on Kharga Choudhury Road in Athgaon. According to CJP, the venue was later changed to Chowdhury Tila opposite the Assam Secretariat after organisers claimed that pressure was applied on the original venue owners to cancel the booking. Ranka had reached Guwahati on Saturday along with other party members, including Ankit Bhardwaj, Akash Prem, Varun Agrawal and Anam.
After his detention, Ranka accused the Assam Police of attempting to prevent the party from conducting its programme. He alleged that police officials had been stopping and detaining team members since morning despite the gathering being peaceful.
According to Ranka, the party’s objective was to highlight issues related to public education, floods and other concerns affecting Assam.
Before his detention, Ashutosh Ranka claimed that the Assam government was attempting to stop the party from raising questions about the condition of schools and other public issues. He alleged that CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s government was concerned about the party highlighting issues related to education and flood management. The allegations were made by Ranka and the party. Assam government has not issued a response to these claims.
The scheduled meeting became a subject of controversy after CJP members claimed that the original venue arrangement was cancelled due to external pressure. The party later shifted the programme location and maintained that it would continue its activities despite the hurdles.
As of now, Assam Police has not issued an official statement regarding the reported detentions. Further details about the reason behind the action and the status of those detained are awaited.
