4 more held in Assam for 'sympathising with Pak'; total arrests now 88

Guwahati: Four more individuals were arrested in Assam on Thursday for allegedly sympathising with Pakistan and posting communal content on social media in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack in April, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced. This brings the total number of arrests related to the case to 88.

“We have intensified our crackdown on Pakistan sympathisers and expanded the scope to apprehend those making communal posts on social media,” Sarma said in a post on X.

The police detained Amir Hamza from Kamrup, Mustafa Ahmed from Hailakandi, Subahan Ali from Darrang, and Meher Ali from Barpeta. According to the Chief Minister, all four had made offensive remarks against Indian deities and the country. “Total arrests now stand at 88,” he added.

Sarma had previously stated that the state-wide crackdown on individuals deemed traitors would continue relentlessly, with no one being spared. Authorities have launched operations against people allegedly involved in anti-India and pro-Pakistan activities.

While the National Security Act (NSA) has been invoked against some arrested individuals, it has not been applied universally. Opposition AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam was initially arrested on sedition charges for allegedly defending Pakistan and its involvement in the Pahalgam attack. After being granted bail in the sedition case, he was rebooked under the NSA.

The Pahalgam terror attack occurred on April 22 at Baisaran Meadows, a popular tourist spot in south Kashmir, where terrorists killed 26 people, most of whom were tourists.

With PTI inputs