After being detained throughout the day, leaders and volunteers of the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) were released by Guwahati Police late on Sunday night.
A meeting with CJP volunteers had been scheduled at the residence of Assam Jatiya Parishad leader Kunki Choudhury, located opposite the Assam Secretariat in Dispur. However, police reportedly prevented anyone from reaching the venue.
State convenor Sahil Uddin Shah and several others were detained in the morning. Later, police also detained CJP National Co-Convenor Ashutosh Ranka, Northeast in-charge Ankit Bhardwaj, central leader Varun Agarwal, and Premakash while they were speaking to journalists.
According to CJP, around 35 members of its central committee and workers, along with at least 15 supporters, were taken into custody. CJP founder Abhijit Deep reportedly warned that he would travel to Assam if all detainees were not released.
While being held inside the premises of the 10th Police Battalion, the detained leaders launched a hunger strike. Supporters also staged a protest outside demanding their release.
Late on Sunday night, police released all those detained, including Ashutosh Ranka, Varun Agarwal, Ankit Bhardwaj, Premakash Golura, and Sahil Uddin Shah. CJP described the release as a “moral victory” for the organisation.