Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed the state police to investigate reports of women, including journalists, being targeted on social media platforms where their photographs were allegedly used to create sleazy content.
“I will ask the DGP to look into the matter,” Sarma assured reporters on Sunday, speaking on the sidelines of an event.
The controversy revolves around groups operating on social media pages like “Assamese Girls Online” and “Assamese Beautiful Girls,” which have been accused of misusing photographs of women, including those of journalists and figures from the entertainment industry.
These groups reportedly bait users with promises of arranging meetings with the women whose images are featured, often without their consent.
Several complaints have already been lodged by victims, and the police have initiated an investigation, a senior official confirmed.
The Assam Women Journalists’ Forum (AWJF) strongly condemned the incidents, calling them a blatant “case of online abuse and a crime against women.”
In a statement, the AWJF expressed concern that members of the press had been deliberately targeted.
“It is disturbing that some of our members have been targeted in this smear campaign by unknown users running these Facebook pages,” the forum stated.
The AWJF has demanded a thorough investigation into the issue and urged media organizations to provide the affected journalists with legal and institutional support to address the harassment effectively.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with calls for stronger measures to combat online abuse and protect the safety and dignity of individuals in the digital space.
Authorities have assured swift action against those responsible.
