Daijiworld Media Network- Guwahati
Guwahati, Apr 28: In a major crackdown, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday confirmed that at least 19 individuals have been arrested across the state for allegedly taking a “pro-Pakistan” stand on social media and other platforms.
Calling them "traitors," Sarma stated, “A total of 19 anti-nationals have been put behind bars for their statements made while residing on Indian soil.”
The latest arrests were reported from the Barpeta and Cachar districts. Among those taken into custody are Jarif Ali from Barpeta and Imran Hussain and Komar Uddin from Cachar.
Significantly, the most high-profile arrest among the 19 is that of AIUDF legislator Aminul Islam. Islam, representing the Dhing Assembly constituency, was arrested on Thursday on sedition charges following a provocative statement related to the recent terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed more than 20 lives.
In a video widely circulated on social media, Islam is heard suggesting that both the Pahalgam and earlier Pulwama attacks were “government conspiracies.”
Recalling the Pulwama tragedy, Islam said, “Six years ago, when 42 soldiers died, I had said it was a conspiracy by the central government to win the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Now, in Pahalgam too, the situation raises doubts.”
He further alleged that terrorists did not target victims based on religion, as claimed, and accused the government of trying to create communal divisions. “If a fair investigation is not conducted, it would only reaffirm that there was a conspiracy behind the incident,” Islam said, directly blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Distancing himself from Islam’s controversial remarks, AIUDF Chief Maulana Badruddin Ajmal stated, “AIUDF stands firmly with the government. Terrorists have no religion, and those who spread terrorism are enemies of Islam.”
The development has triggered political ripples across Assam, with authorities reiterating a zero-tolerance policy against any anti-national activities.