Authorities in India apprehend 81 individuals, alleged for expressing support towards Pakistan.
In the northeastern state of Assam, India, 82 bodies are now filling jail cells—all accused of backing Pakistan on social media. The chief of the region's government, Himanta Biswa Sarma, announced the arrests, stating these individuals were captured for showing affection towards Pakistan.
Social media is under the keen eye of the Assam authorities, with Sarma, a member of India's ruling Hindu nationalist party, confirming that they are keeping tabs on any anti-national messages circulating on these platforms. One detainee was nabbed due to a Pakistani flag emblazoned on their Instagram account, as per reports from AFP.
The social media crackdown was spurred by the April 22 attack in Indian Kashmir, which left 26 tourists dead in what marked one of the worst incidents in this long-disputed territory consisting mainly of Muslim residents. India pointed the finger at Pakistan for backing Islamic militants it blames for the assault.
Tensions intensified between India and Pakistan, leading to a four-day armed conflict, the worst between the two nuclear nations since 1999. Hostilities ceased on May 10, with a ceasefire taking effect. Following the hostilities, India's anti-terror agency apprehended a paramilitary police officer on charges of spying for Pakistan, according to local media reports. Also implicated were ten individuals accused of spying.
Additional Insights:- Over 80 people have been arrested in Assam for perceived pro-Pakistan sentiments, escalating after the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir [1][2][5].- The Assam government carries out continuous social media surveillance to intercept posts deemed anti-national or supportive of Pakistan, with detentions based on pro-Pakistan content such as sharing the Pakistani flag or supportive comments [3][5].- Global criticism has arisen over the impact of free speech due to the increasing use of legal and digital mechanisms to stifle dissent or criticism under the guise of national security [4].
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The general news from Assam continues to focus on the ongoing surveillance of war-and-conflicts-related messages on social media platforms, with authorities keeping a close watch for any anti-national sentiments, particularly those supportive of Pakistan. This intensified after the April 22 attack in Indian Kashmir, which led to the arrest of over 80 individuals accused of crime-and-justice-related offenses, such as sharing the Pakistani flag or making supportive comments. Additionally, the politics surrounding this escalating tension between India and Pakistan have become a significant aspect of the regional news cycle.
