Why Was Someone Arrested in Assam's Barpeta for a Pro-Pakistan Stance?

Synopsis
In a significant turn of events in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has revealed that authorities arrested Shahidul Islam for allegedly supporting Pakistan on social media. This arrest is part of a larger crackdown, with 43 individuals detained under suspicion of anti-national activities. What does this mean for Assam's political landscape?
Key Takeaways
- Shahidul Islam arrested for pro-Pakistan sentiments.
- A total of 43 individuals detained for anti-national activities.
- AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam first to be arrested for sedition.
- Government emphasizes zero tolerance towards treachery.
- Political implications of arrests may influence Assam's stability.
Guwahati, May 6 (NationPress) Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Wednesday that state law enforcement has apprehended another individual for purportedly endorsing a pro-Pakistan stance on social media.
The arrested individual, identified as Shahidul Islam, was taken into custody in Barpeta.
With Islam's arrest on Tuesday, the total number of individuals detained for supporting Pakistan in Assam has reached 13.
CM Sarma stated, "A total of 43 anti-nationals have been imprisoned for their sympathies towards Pakistan. No TRAITOR will go unpunished."
Among those 43 individuals, the most notable is Aminul Islam, an MLA from the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF).
Aminul Islam was the first person to be arrested in Assam for his "pro-Pakistan" remarks.
He was apprehended on May 1 on charges of sedition following his inflammatory comments regarding a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which resulted in over 20 fatalities.
In a video shared widely on social media, the AIUDF leader insinuates that the attacks in Pahalgam and Pulwama were orchestrated as part of a "government conspiracy".
Aminul Islam remarked, "Six years ago during the Pulwama incident, when the RDX explosion killed 42 soldiers, I declared that it was a conspiracy by the Central government to influence the 2019 Lok Sabha elections."
He further stated that the BJP has perpetuated a narrative that the attackers in Pahalgam targeted only Hindus while sparing Muslims.
"However, survivors claim the assailants did not inquire about anyone's identity before firing, and I suspect the same network responsible for the Pulwama attack is implicated in Pahalgam," he stated.
He warned that if the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government fails to conduct a proper investigation and aims to create division between Hindus and Muslims, he would view the incident as a conspiracy.
AIUDF Chief Badruddin Ajmal distanced himself from Aminul Islam's statements, asserting, "AIUDF supports the government. Terrorists have no religion, and those who engage in terrorism oppose Islam."