The Assam government has taken a decisive step to counter extremist influence by imposing a comprehensive ban on all radical and jihadi content associated with proscribed Bangladesh-based terrorist organizations. This action is driven by concerns for internal security and a stated goal to prevent impressionable young people from being drawn into the fold of violent extremism.
Details of the Government Order
The official order was issued by the state's Home & Political Department on December 4, 2025. It specifically names groups such as the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), and Ansar-Al-Islam/pro-AQIS, all of which are banned under India's Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The directive is a response to concrete intelligence and cyber-monitoring reports indicating the persistent circulation of dangerous materials.
According to the order, these materials include literature and digital propaganda that glorify violent jihad, promote radicalization, provide ideological indoctrination, and even offer operational guidance. The state has assessed that such content incites actions against India's sovereignty and poses a severe threat to public order and communal harmony.
Scope of the Ban and Legal Basis
Invoking Section 98 of the BNSS (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita), the ban is extensive. It prohibits the:
- Publication, printing, and circulation
- Distribution, sale, and exhibition
- Possession and storage
of any radical or jihadi literature, documents, or digital content linked to these outfits. The prohibition extends beyond physical materials to encompass websites, social media pages, encrypted messaging channels, and online groups that propagate such extremist ideology.
Background: Police Operations Against Terror Modules
This legal move follows sustained counter-terrorism operations by the Assam Police's Special Task Force (STF). The most notable among these is 'Operation Praghat' launched last year. This significant operation led to the arrest of more than a dozen individuals across multiple states, including Assam, West Bengal, and Kerala, for their alleged links to modules of these Bangladesh-based outfits operating within India.
The government's order directly references intelligence gathered from these investigations, highlighting a continued digital and physical network aimed at recruitment and radicalization. The ban is thus seen as a preventative measure to disrupt the supply chain of extremist propaganda that fuels these modules.
The Assam government's firm stance underscores a multi-pronged strategy combining aggressive police action with legal measures to control the narrative and protect vulnerable demographics from extremist influence. This step is viewed as crucial for maintaining the internal security fabric of the state and the wider northeastern region.
