GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Muslims in Assam have supported the arrest of those who wrote pro-Taliban posts on social media.
"Assam is a very sensitive state, so we requested to avoid sensitive posts on social media that could spread communal tensions. Some people didn't listen to us, so we arrested them: Assam CM HB Sarma on the arrest of 14 persons for social media posts regarding Taliban," Sarma said.
"I'm happy that even Assam's Muslim community has supported these arrests. Many people are on the watchlist. We counseled some people & they deleted their posts. We've only arrested those who showed violent intent in their posts," the CM further added.
So far, a total of 16 people have been arrested from different corners of the state for supporting the Taliban on social media. He further said that though many people were picked up, only those people showing violent intentions have got arrested.
"We have not arrested everyone, some we have brought to the Thana and counseled them, after which they have deleted their posts and gone back. We have arrested those people who showed violent intent in their social media posts. Many people are on the watch list", said the Chief Minister.
He further said that as Assam is a very communally sensitive state, it is extremely necessary to maintain harmony among religious communities.
"35% people here belong to religious minority and 65% belongs to the majority community. There are many districts where people from minority communities are almost 70%. That's why we have requested that for some events which have happened outside the jurisdiction of this country, there is no need to post such things," he said.
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