Assam Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika on Tuesday, 28 July defended the state government's stringent policing policy on the floor of the Assam Legislative Assembly, asserting that law enforcement must be empowered to act decisively against all categories of offenders — including cyber criminals — to preserve public order in the state.

Hazarika Takes On the Opposition

Participating in a House discussion, Hazarika sharply criticised Opposition members for questioning police conduct against accused persons while simultaneously demanding stronger crime control. 'Whenever the police adopt strict measures against criminals, the Opposition raises objections. Why should anyone oppose firm action against offenders?' the minister said.

He alleged that criminals have physically attacked police personnel and escaped custody during active operations, making decisive force a necessity rather than an overreach. 'Many criminals assault police personnel and flee. When the police try to teach such offenders a lesson, the Opposition starts criticising the action,' Hazarika said.

Cyber Crime in the Crosshairs

In a notable policy signal, Hazarika announced that the Assam government would extend its zero-tolerance approach to cyber offenders. He cited a surge in online financial scams and digital fraud as a growing challenge affecting residents across the state. 'From now onwards, cyber criminals will also face stringent action in Assam. Like drug traffickers, cyber offenders too must face severe punishment,' the minister said.

The announcement marks a formal escalation of the state's anti-crime posture into the digital domain, aligning cyber fraud with the same enforcement priority as narcotics trafficking — an area where Assam Police has conducted sustained operations in recent years.

Context: Assam's Crackdown on Organised Crime

Hazarika's remarks come against the backdrop of a broader intensification of law enforcement in Assam, where the state government has repeatedly asserted a zero-tolerance stance on narcotics, illegal activities, and financial fraud. Police have carried out a series of operations against drug syndicates, with the administration consistently backing officers accused of using force during those operations.

Notably, this is not the first time the government has faced Opposition heat over policing methods. Critics argue that framing all scrutiny of police action as pro-criminal sentiment conflates accountability with obstruction — a tension that has run through Assam's law-and-order discourse for several years.

Government's Stated Position

The minister reiterated that the state government would continue extending full support to the police and that no distinction would be drawn between conventional offenders and those committing crimes through digital platforms. He underscored that strict enforcement remains the administration's primary deterrent against organised crime of all kinds.

With cyber fraud cases rising nationally and Assam now signalling tougher digital enforcement, how the state operationalises this pledge — and whether it establishes dedicated cyber policing infrastructure — will be closely watched in the months ahead.