Guwahati/Agartala: Police across three northeastern states—Assam, Tripura, and Meghalaya—have arrested or interrogated at least 25 individuals for allegedly posting seditious or inflammatory content on social media following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives.
Those detained or questioned include an MLA, a government employee, a retired teacher, a student leader, and a lawyer, according to officials.
The highest number of cases were reported from Assam, where 16 people have been taken into custody so far, including All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) legislator Aminul Islam.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the arrests via a post on X, stating that three more individuals—Dadhichi Dimple (alias Dimple Bora), Tahib Ali, and Bimal Mahato—were apprehended on Sunday from Golaghat, Tamulpur, and Udalguri.
The chief minister further indicated that those found supporting Pakistan in any capacity would face charges under the National Security Act (NSA).
In Tripura, police confirmed the arrest of a retired teacher and a student leader from Ambassa in Dhalai district.
Six more individuals in the state are either under surveillance or facing legal proceedings for allegedly sharing provocative content online.
In Meghalaya, a 30-year-old man named Simon Shylla was arrested by a special police cell from East Khasi Hills district.
He had allegedly posted anti-national remarks on a video shared by a Guwahati-based news channel.
Police recovered two mobile phones from his possession, and he has been charged with criminal conspiracy, promoting communal hatred, and threatening national integrity under relevant sections at Lumdiengjri police station.
Authorities have issued repeated warnings across the Northeast, urging the public to refrain from making or sharing inflammatory posts, particularly those related to religious or national security matters.
“Forwarding or creating such content is a legal offence. Stringent action will be taken,” police officials warned in public advisories.
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Nagaland Police also issued a separate advisory on Saturday, cautioning citizens about the spread of misinformation and propaganda by anti-national elements in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.
They noted that many social media posts originated from sources linked to Pakistan or its sympathisers, and that innocent users often unwittingly amplify such content.
Citizens have been urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious online activity to authorities promptly to help maintain communal harmony and public order.
