CJP Co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka released after Assam Police detention, alleges illegal action
Synopsis
CJP Co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka and over 30 volunteers were detained by Assam Police hours before a scheduled regional meeting in Guwahati, with four central committee members among those held. Ranka called it ‘illegal detention’ after release — and Assam Police offered no public explanation, raising questions about the state’s approach to civil society activity ahead of electoral roll revision scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
CJP Co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka and more than 30 volunteers were detained by Assam Police on 28 September 2026 in Guwahati .
Among the detained were four members of the CJP central committee, according to the organisation.
The detentions occurred shortly before a regional volunteers’ meeting; the original venue was allegedly pressured to cancel the booking.
Ranka called the police action “illegal” after release and announced a press interaction at Chaudhary Tila , opposite the Assam Secretariat .
Assam Police had not issued any public statement on the grounds for the detentions, according to reports.
The CJP had been in Assam to meet volunteers and interact with families affected by the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) Co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka and more than 30 party volunteers were released by Assam Police on the evening of 28 September 2026, hours after they were detained ahead of a scheduled regional meeting in Guwahati. Ranka immediately termed the police action “illegal” and announced he would address the media from the precise location where he was picked up earlier in the day.
What Ranka Said After Release
In a post on social media platform X on Sunday, Ranka wrote: “The illegal detention by Assam Police has finally ended.” He added that the CJP team had requested the police to return them to the spot from which they were allegedly picked up. Ranka subsequently announced he would hold a press interaction at Chaudhary Tila, opposite the Assam Secretariat, in Guwahati.
How the Detentions Unfolded
The detentions occurred shortly before a regional volunteers’ meeting that the CJP had organised in Guwahati on Sunday. The gathering was originally planned at Assam Shree Parshuram Seva Sadan on Kharga Choudhury Road in Athgaon. CJP members alleged that pressure was exerted on the original venue to cancel the booking, forcing the event to be relocated to Chowdhury Tila, opposite the Assam Secretariat.
Ranka had arrived in Guwahati on Saturday alongside other CJP members. Before his detention, he alleged that police were actively preventing the group from holding their meeting and accused authorities of repeatedly detaining its members across the state.
CJP’s Allegations and Demands
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke claimed that Ranka was picked up from a private residence and stated that detained members were not informed of any charges or grounds for their detention. The organisation formally demanded the immediate release of Ranka and all volunteers, alleging targeted suppression of its activities in Assam.
Among those detained were four members of the party’s central committee, according to the organisation. Assam Police had not issued any public statement explaining the grounds for the detentions, according to reports.
Planned Activities and Broader Context
The CJP said its activities in Assam included meeting local volunteers, visiting government schools, and interacting with families affected by the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls — a process that has drawn scrutiny from civil society groups over its potential impact on voter registration in the state.
Notably, this is not the first time the organisation has alleged that its members were detained ahead of scheduled activities in Assam. Dipke reacted to Ranka’s post-release announcement with a remark on X expressing disappointment that a planned protest outside a police station would now not take place: “Abey yaar... I was actually looking forward to joining your strike at the police station tomorrow.”
What Happens Next
With the immediate detention incident concluded, the CJP is expected to formally address the media on the circumstances surrounding the police action. The organisation’s planned engagement with families affected by the electoral roll revision in Assam remains ongoing, and further developments are likely as Ranka holds his press interaction at Chaudhary Tila.
Point of View
The effect is a near-total shutdown of the planned activity. Assam Police’s silence on the legal basis is telling; in the absence of transparency, the burden of justification falls entirely on the state. The CJP’s stated focus on families affected by the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls adds political sensitivity to a story that is fundamentally about the right to assemble.
NationPress
28 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ashutosh Ranka and why was he detained in Assam?
Ashutosh Ranka is the Co-convenor of Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP). He was detained by Assam Police on 28 September 2026 in Guwahati, along with more than 30 party volunteers, shortly before a scheduled regional meeting. Assam Police had not publicly stated the grounds for the detention, according to reports.
How long were the CJP members detained?
The detentions began earlier on Sunday and ended in the evening of 28 September 2026, lasting several hours. Ranka announced his release via a post on social media platform X.
What did Ashutosh Ranka say after his release?
Ranka called the police action ‘illegal detention’ and said the CJP team had asked police to return them to the location from which they were picked up. He announced a press interaction at Chaudhary Tila, opposite the Assam Secretariat, in Guwahati.
What was the CJP planning to do in Assam?
The CJP had scheduled a regional volunteers’ meeting in Guwahati. The organisation said its broader activities in Assam included meeting local volunteers, visiting government schools, and interacting with families affected by the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Did Assam Police explain why the CJP members were detained?
No. According to reports, Assam Police had not issued any public statement explaining the grounds for the detentions. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke claimed detained members were not informed of any charges or grounds at the time of their detention.
