The Assam government launched a major crackdown on individuals accused of posting content online in support of the Delhi attackers, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma warning that the state would not tolerate any expression of sympathy for terrorist activities on social media.
Acting on reports of objectionable posts circulating on various platforms, the Assam Police carried out a coordinated, multi-district operation. A total of 21 people were arrested from Darrang, Goalpara, Nalbari, Chirang, Kamrup, Bongaigaon, Hailakandi, Lakhimpur, Barpeta, Hojai, South Salmara, Kokrajhar, Bajali and Dhubri districts for allegedly expressing support for the perpetrators.
Those arrested were identified as Matiur Rahman, Hasan Ali Mondal, Jayanta Mohan Das, Abdul Latif, Wajhul Kamal, Nur Amin Ahmed, Rafizul Ali, Farid Uddin Laskar, Inamul Islam, Firuz Ahmed alias Papon, Shahil Shoman Sikdar alias Shahidul Islam, Rakibul Sultan, Nasim Akram, Taslim Ahmed, Abdur Rahim Mollah alias Bappi Hussain, Karinur Hasan, Abu Hanif alias New Collection, Monwar Hussain, Inamul Haque, Nabi Hussain and Azizur Hussain.
In a Facebook post, the Chief Minister said the crackdown would continue and more arrests could follow, reiterating that strict action would be taken against anyone expressing support for terrorism. The Assam Police have stepped up monitoring of digital platforms as part of the state’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism and online radicalisation.
