Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convenor and spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka was detained by Assam Police in Guwahati on Sunday, along with several party leaders and volunteers.
The detentions took place shortly before the CJP’s scheduled regional volunteers’ meeting. Reports said more than 30 party workers were detained, while the CJP claimed the number was around 50. The figure could not be independently verified.
Meeting Stopped Before It Began
According to the CJP, police barricaded roads leading to the meeting venue and stopped members of the organisation from reaching the location.
Ranka was detained along with CJP members including Ankit Bhardwaj and Prem Aakash. Several Assam-based volunteers were also reportedly taken into custody.
The party also claimed that its lawyers were present outside the location but were not allowed to meet the detained members. These claims have not been independently verified.
CJP Raises Questions
Before his detention, Ranka had said the party planned to raise issues concerning Assam’s schools, land and families affected by electoral-roll revision. He had also announced plans to meet families affected by the revision of voter lists.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that Assam Police took Ranka and other members to an undisclosed location. The party has demanded their immediate release.
The CJP has announced a press conference in Guwahati to address the incident and said its activities in Assam would continue.