Guwahati, Aug. 2 -- The Congress on Sunday criticised the Assam government over the detention of indigenous and land rights activist Pranab Doley under the National Security Act (NSA), alleging that the move reflects a growing pattern of BJP governments "weaponising" preventive detention laws to suppress dissent.

Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said the Assam government invoked the NSA against Doley on July 30, a day after a district court granted him bail in a case linked to protests against a proposed five-star hotel near Kaziranga National Park.

Calling the action a "blatant misuse" of preventive detention laws, Ramesh alleged that the detention order was based on vague and speculative allegations, including...