Pahalgam Terror Attack: Students, teachers to lawyers arrested in 3 states for supporting Pakistan

At least 19 individuals have been arrested in Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura for posting controversial and anti-national remarks about the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The incident, which claimed 26 lives, including those of a Navy officer and an Intelligence Bureau official, has sparked significant unrest.

The arrests encompass a diverse group of people, including Aminul Islam, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), a journalist, students, a lawyer, and retired teachers. Most of the detentions stem from social media posts deemed inflammatory.

14 people have been arrested in Assam alone. Aminul Islam was among those arrested, charged with sedition for suggesting government involvement in the Pahalgam and earlier Pulwama attacks.

Assam's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, emphasised a zero-tolerance policy, stating: “If necessary, we will invoke provisions of the National Security Act. We are thoroughly examining all social media posts, and appropriate measures will be taken against those perceived as anti-national.”

The 14 individuals include Md Jabir Hussain, a journalist; Md AK Bahauddin, a student at Assam University; and Md Javed Mazumder, a lawyer. A resident of Karimganj, Md Musta Ahmed, was detained for posting "Pakistan Zindabad" on Facebook, alongside other arrests across various districts for alleged anti-India sentiments.

In Tripura, the police have detained four persons, among them retired educators Jawhar Debnath and Kuldip Mandal for comments made online related to the Pahalgam attack.

Meghalaya also saw the arrest of a 30-year-old man, Simon Shylla, in the East Khasi Hills, after he posted statements considered anti-national following a media broadcast.