Assam: Passport renewal of activist Pranab Doley stuck over ‘doubtful nationality’

Pranab Doley, an activist who works in the villages around Assam’s Kaziranga National Park, was Monday informed that his “nationality was doubtful” by the regional passport office in Guwahati.

Doley, whose passport had expired in 2020, had applied for renewal in April 2021. On December 20, he received a letter that said: “Your nationality is doubtful as per police Verification Report. Please clarify at the Passport Office in person.”

Doley, who lives in Bokakhat, belongs to the Mising tribe, considered ‘indigenous’ to the state.

The 36-year-old has been a vocal critic of the ruling BJP government in Assam, and had unsuccessfully fought the 2021 Assam Assembly elections from the Bokakhat constituency on a regional party (Anchalik Gana Morcha) ticket. His candidature was supported by the Congress-led Mahajot alliance.