“Assam Won’t Tolerate Pakistan Defenders,” Says CM Sarma as Seven Arrested, Three from Barak

Several individuals across Assam have been arrested for posting content on social media that, according to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, directly or indirectly supports the recent heinous terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Among those arrested, three are from the Barak Valley region.

In Hailakandi, journalist Md. Jabir Hussain was taken into custody by the Pachgram police. He had allegedly made a controversial social media post suggesting that the Pahalgam attack might be a conspiracy to divert public and judicial attention from the ongoing Waqf bill issue.

Meanwhile, in Silchar, two individuals have been arrested in connection with similar posts. Md. A.K. Bahauddin, a student of Assam University, was arrested for a social media post deemed controversial. Another arrest was of Md. Javed Mazumder, an advocate from the Sonai area, who reportedly made a separate post that was also found objectionable, though not directly linked to the Pahalgam incident.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared the list of arrests through a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. “Assam will not tolerate any individual who, directly or indirectly, supports or defends Pakistan in connection with the heinous attack in Pahalgam,” he wrote.

The Chief Minister stated that the posts in question were viewed as promoting the cause of Pakistan on social media, either directly or indirectly. He also added that “further arrests are underway as part of our ongoing crackdown.”

Others arrested from across the state include Md. Mahahar Mia and Md. Mujihirul Islam from Morigaon, Md. Aminul Islam from Nagaon, and Md. Sahil Ali from Sivasagar. The Assam Police have not ruled out more arrests as the investigation continues.