14 held for pro-Taliban posts in social media by Assam Police

2 mullahs, a constable and MBBS student arrested from across State

Police Cyber Cell also identifies three from State living abroad

OUR BUREAU

GUWAHATI/RANGIA/MANGALDAI: Providing a shocking insight into the presence and influence of the Taliban and its other organisations in Assam, the State Police stated that 14 persons — including two mullahs, a student pursuing MBBS course, and also a Police constable — have been already arrested.

The action has been spurred following persistent inputs from the ever-vigilant IT Cell of the Assam Police that many people have been quite actively supporting the Taliban in the social media. The Cyber Cell has already identified 17 persons in this regard over the last two weeks. Many more are under its scanner.

The already arrested 14 persons hail from 10 districts of Assam. The other three are also from the State, but they are presently staying abroad. However, these three persons have been identified by the Police.

In this regard, the Assam Police has booked the 14 persons under various sections in several police stations of the State. The Sections are 120(B)/153(A)(1)(a)/153(B)(1)(a) & (c)/298/505(1)(b)(c)/505(2) IPC R/ W Sec 39 of U(A)P Act.

The 14 arrested persons are Maulana Fazul Karim (49 years of age) from Darrang District; Abu Bakkar Siddique alias Afga Khan Aveilekh (55) from Kamrup; Saidul Hoque (29) also from Kamrup; Jawed Mazumder from Cachar; Mozidul Islam (25) from Barpeta; Faruk Hussain Khan (32) also from Barpeta; Saiyad Ahmed (27) from Dhubri; Arman Hussain (25) also from Dhubri); Nadim Akhtar (23) from Hailakandi; Khandakar Nur Alom from South Salmara; Maulana Yaseen Khan (26) from Goalpara; Maulana Basiruddin Laskar (65) from Hojai; Mujib Uddin and Mortuza Hussain Khan from Karimganj.

RANGIA CORRESPONDENT ADDS: According to the Kamrup SP (Superintendent of Police) Hitesh Chandra Roy, arrested Abu Bakkar Siddique alias alias Afga Khan Aveilekh is a teacher of 'Luit Public School' at Forest Gate in Goalpara while Saidul Hoque is a jawan of the 21 Bn Assam Police. A case (130/21) was registered in the North Guwahati Police station.

A team of Assam Police led by the SP and Additional SP Asif Ahmed conducted the operation and arrested both.

MANGALDAI CORRESPONDENT ADDS: A post supporting the Taliban and criticizing the Indian media uploaded in Facebook recenly has landed a vice president of the AIUDF (All India United Democratic Front) and general secretary of the Assam State Zamiat Ulema — Maulana Fazul Karim — in judicial custody. He is presently lodged in Mangaldai District Jail.

Maulana Fazul Karim is a resident of village Ghilakuri under Sipajhar Police Station. He was arrested from his rented house at Ward No. 2 of Mangaldai town on Friday night.

On Saturday, the police produced him before the Judicial Court here. The Court remanded him to the judicial custody. Mention may be made here that the arrested Moulana is very close to Parliamentarian Asaduddin Oaisi.

Mangaldai Police has registered a case (410/2021) under Section 120 (B)/ 153 (A)(1)(a)/153 (B)(1)(a)(c)/298/505(1)(b)(c)/505(2) IPC read with Section 39 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

IANS ADDS: The police said that three profiles belonged to residents of Assam who are presently settled in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Mumbai.

Special DGP (Director General of Police), G.P. Singh, tweeted: "Police have arrested 14 persons for social media posts regarding Taliban activities that have attracted provisions of law of the land. People are advised to be careful in posts/likes etc. on social media platforms to avoid penal action."

A senior Assam Police officer, on conditions of anonymity, said in Guwahati, "At least 17 social-media profiles were noticed making various posts related to the Taliban. These posts made comments supporting the coup in Afghanistan or the activities of the Islamist militant group.

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