Anti-national remarks after Pahalgam terror attack, 9 cases lodged, one more arrested

In a continued crackdown on people allegedly making anti-national remarks on social media after the Pahalgam terror attack, the Tripura Police again on Monday arrested another man from Gomati district.

So far, police has booked nine people from different districts of the state and among them, few were arrested and put in jail custody, few were questioned and two were released on bail.

Among the arrested five people including two retired teachers for making controversial posts on social media relating to the Pahalgam terror attack.

While giving details, Souvik Dey, Additional Superintendent of Police, Gomati, said that the man has been identified as Sameed Miah, a resident of Maharani, was arrested from the Telkajla village under Melagarh police station in the Sepahijala district.

He said that Gomati district police  recently received two complaints regarding social media posts, and the investigation into the second case is currently underway.

 He added that commenting on such a sensational incident against the nation is a major criminal offence and they are misguided youths who, perhaps, without understanding the repercussions, have forwarded it and police are now investigating all the complaints.

Police sources said that one Sajal Chakraborty (64), a retired teacher of Jail Road of Dharmanagar under North Tripura district  was arrested on April 26 and released on bail over his anti-national comments on Pahalgam terror attack in social media.

Similarly, one Jahrul Islam (34)  of Sovapur village of Sonamura under Sepahijala district was arrested on April 24 and released on bail. Jaharlal Debnath of Tahkurpalli, Kulai of Ambassa under Dhalai district arrested on April 25 and now in jail custody, Kuldip Mandal (25) of Ambassa arrested on April 25 and now in jail custody, one Mansur Ali of North Hurua of Kadamtala police station under North Tripura district was booked in a specific case, who is working as a fireman, one Pranab Das of Viajayanar village under Sabroom police station under South Tripura was questioned by police on April 25, another retired teacher Prabir Chaudhury of North Nayapara under Dharmanagar police station of North district was called by police for questioning and another specific case against eight accused, identified as Narrutam Chandra Nath (32) of Kalikapur of Dharmanagar was also booked.

The official said that the four people were arrested under various Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Information Technology Act.

Seeking their police custody, all the four arrested people would be produced in courts in their respective subdivisions, the official said.

While, out of four arrested, Jahirul Islam, on Saturday  released and he will be under surveillance and supervision for six months as per new BNS law.

Tripura police in a post on its X handle said that it had come to their notice that certain individuals were circulating provocative and misleading messages on social media.

“Please be aware that forwarding, sharing, or creating such content is an offence under the law. Stringent legal action will be taken against those involved in such activity,” the police said.

The police also urged everyone not to pay attention to or forward any provocative and misleading message.

“We request all citizens to stay alert and report any such unlawful activity to the police immediately,” the appeal said.

Meanwhile, Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Friday directed the Superintendents of Police (SPs) of all eight districts to regularly share necessary inputs with the Chief Minister’s Secretariat regarding the presence of any Pakistani nationals in the state, officials said.

An official of the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said that the Chief Minister also asked the District Magistrates (DMs) of all eight districts to maintain constant vigilance and promptly alert the administration about any such matters in view of a terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.

The directives were issued during a high-level video conference held at the state secretariat, where the Chief Minister reviewed the state's law and order situation, developmental initiatives, and preparedness ahead of the upcoming Monsoon season.

It may be recalled here that at least 22 people were arrested in the Northeast until Sunday for their alleged anti-national comments online over the Pahalgam terror attack. Among those arrested, 17 were from Assam, including All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLA Aminul Islam, while four were from Tripura and one from Meghalaya.