NEW DELHI: Sharjeel Imam who was on the run after a case of sedition was filed against him for making controversial remarks has been arrested in Bihar on Tuesday.
Police teams from Bihar and Delhi conducted raids across various locations to get hold of Imam.
He will now be taken to Delhi for further questioning.
The police had earlier detained Imam’s brother during a raid at his ancestral home in Bihar.
Imam’s brother, as well as another person, whose identity has not been revealed, have been detained by police.
Some five states including Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh have filed an FIR against Imam who was shown making offensive remarks on Assam and the North East in a video.
Imam has been booked under IPC sections 121 A (conspiracy to wage war against India), 124 A (sedition), 120 B (criminal conspiracy) and 153 which relates to “promoting enmity between different religious groups with an intent to create disharmony”, the police said.
“If we have five lakh organised people then we can cut the North-east from rest of India. Our responsibility is to cut Assam from India then Government will hear our voice. If we have to help Assam then we will have to cut Assam from rest of India,” said Imam in a video, where he is heard speaking to a gathering.
Pema Khandu. CM of Arunachal Pradesh condemned this video.
He tweeted, “This kind of provocation inciting secession of Assam & other NEstates from rest of India, creating communal disharmony, hampering severeignty & territorial Integrity of India will not be tolerated. Crime branch Itanagar have registered Case no.2/2020 U/S124(A)/153(A)153(B) IPC.”
Assam State Cabinet Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Sarma had also condemned Imam for making such elements and said that there were external elements involved in instigating violence in the country. Sarma also mentioned that there are certain members of certain communities who are trying to destroy India and create another Pakistan out of India.