Assam Government Bans Radical Literature to Combat Militancy
New Policy to Address Militancy in Assam
Guwahati, Dec 4: In a notable shift in strategy, the Assam government has enacted a ban on all types of radical literature, both in print and online, linked to outlawed extremist groups.
This directive, issued under Section 98 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), signifies a transition from merely addressing isolated incidents of radicalization to dismantling the broader framework that supports such activities.
According to senior security officials, recent investigations have uncovered a consistent trend where individuals apprehended for suspected affiliations with groups like Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), and Ansar-Al-Islam/pro-AQIS were rarely recruited through direct personal connections.
Instead, many were influenced by advanced digital propaganda, which includes videos, encrypted guides, PDF files, and religiously framed calls to action.
Officials noted that a significant portion of this material is generated outside India, primarily from Bangladesh, and is disseminated through discreet digital platforms that target vulnerable youth in sensitive border areas.
The government is optimistic that prohibiting such content will help curb the ideological underpinnings that lead to operational activities.
This initiative comes in light of changing geopolitical circumstances in the region, especially following the political changes in Dhaka after Sheikh Hasina's departure.
During a recent meeting, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, M Riaz Hamidullah, highlighted Dhaka’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations through cultural exchanges, film festivals, and tourism projects.
He expressed confidence that strong economic ties and 'people-centric avenues' would facilitate a reassessment of priorities for future cooperation between the two nations.
As the Assam government intensifies its examination of jihadi literature, a concurrent discussion was sparked by Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (JUH) president Maulana Mahmood Madani, who contended that the notion of 'jihad' has been profoundly misinterpreted.
He described it as a 'sacred, values-driven principle' within Islam and advocated for its inclusion in educational curricula to ensure children grasp its true meaning. Madani, who visited Assam in September, claimed that the term has been manipulated by vested interests, both within and outside the Muslim community, leading to increased animosity against Muslims.
In a related development, a Kolkata court sentenced five JMB members to life imprisonment on Wednesday.
The individuals, arrested in 2016 by the Kolkata Police Special Task Force in North 24 Parganas district and Assam, were found guilty of their involvement with the militant organization.