Massive Crackdown on Social Media Activity
In a significant law enforcement operation, Assam Police have arrested 15 people across multiple districts for their social media posts and comments related to the recent car explosion in Delhi. The arrests, which occurred between Wednesday and Thursday, mark the beginning of a crackdown similar to the one conducted after the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year.
The coordinated police action spanned 10 different districts of Assam, demonstrating the widespread nature of the operation. This development comes as authorities intensify their response to online content deemed supportive of terrorism or threatening to national security.
Legal Framework and Previous Precedents
Several of those arrested have been charged under section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which specifically addresses "acts endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India." This provision carries similarities to the sedition charges under the previous Indian Penal Code system.
This isn't the first time Assam has witnessed such measures. Following the Pahalgam terror attack in April, state police arrested at least 97 individuals over a two-month period for various social media posts. Those cases involved content ranging from expressions supporting Pakistan to comments considered offensive to Hindu sentiments, along with suggestions that the attack represented an election-related "conspiracy."
Specific Cases and Government Response
Among those recently detained is Wajhul Kamal, a resident of Rangiya in Kamrup district, who allegedly posted on Facebook claiming that terror attacks consistently occur during election seasons. A Kamrup district police official confirmed his arrest for the since-deleted post and indicated he faces multiple charges including BNS sections 152 and 147, the latter pertaining to "waging war, attempting to wage war, or abetting waging of war against the Indian government."
In a similar case, Matiur Rahman from Darrang district was arrested on Wednesday for making comparable remarks in a comment about the Delhi explosion. These arrests reflect a pattern of targeting content that authorities consider supportive of terrorism or threatening to national harmony.
The Assam government has made it clear that this crackdown will continue. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Wednesday that his administration had "identified" 34 individuals and issued instructions to police to arrest those "who are expressing support to terrorists."
The Chief Minister elaborated on the government's perspective, stating: "After the Delhi blast, you have understood one thing — education doesn't mean that somebody won't be a terrorist. All these days in our Legislative Assembly, it was being said that because they are falling behind in education, they are being used for different purposes. But we have seen from the events in Delhi that these were not done by uneducated people, but educated people have done jihad."
He further emphasized his concern about public reaction, adding: "And after educated people have done jihad, instead of condemning, one section of people in Assam have been putting smileys and thumbs-up and expressing support in various ways."
The current situation underscores the ongoing tension between national security concerns and freedom of expression in digital spaces, particularly following significant security incidents.
