November 13, 2025

Silchar / Guwahati: The Assam Police have arrested nine more people for allegedly posting offensive and insensitive content on social media following Monday’s terror blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, which killed at least ten people and injured several others. The arrests, made late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning across multiple districts, bring the total number of people held in the state to 15, officials confirmed.

The crackdown follows directives from Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who announced the arrests in a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying that the state police were acting firmly against those who “glorify terrorism or express sympathy with perpetrators of violence.”

“In connection with the offensive social media posts following the Delhi blasts, 15 persons have been arrested across Assam so far. In addition to the six arrests made yesterday, overnight we have arrested the following persons,” Sarma wrote.

Statewide Crackdown on Online Misconduct

According to police officials, the latest arrests were made in several districts, including Cachar, Nagaon, Morigaon, and Kamrup (Metro). Officers said the arrests were made after suo motu cases were registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act, depending on the nature of the posts.

Police sources said that several of the accused had posted derogatory comments, memes, and emojis in response to the blast, which authorities said amounted to “mocking victims” and “indirectly supporting terrorism.”

“Some of these individuals shared laughter and celebration emojis under posts about the Delhi blast. Such actions cannot be treated lightly in a situation where innocent lives were lost,” a senior police officer in Guwahati said.

The officer added that digital forensics teams were scanning Facebook, X, and WhatsApp groups to identify more individuals responsible for spreading or amplifying such posts.

Retired Principal Detained, Released After Notice

On Tuesday, a retired principal of a government school in Cachar district was detained for allegedly making a politically motivated comment about the Delhi blast. However, Cachar Superintendent of Police Partha Pratim Daslater clarified that the individual had been released after being served a notice.

“The person was found to have made an inappropriate comment that could disturb communal harmony. He has been cautioned and released after giving a written undertaking,” Das said.

The Cachar SP added that the district’s cyber unit has been tasked with flagging posts that may incite hatred or create social disharmony.

CM Sarma: “Sympathising with Terrorists Won’t Be Tolerated”

Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, known for his zero-tolerance stance on extremism, reiterated that the police would take strict action against those glorifying violence or terrorism online.

“We have noticed happy and laughter emojis posted by several individuals from Assam about the Delhi blasts. It appears they are sympathising with the terrorists,” Sarma said, speaking to reporters in Guwahati on Thursday morning.

However, the chief minister also acknowledged that some users may have acted without understanding the gravity of their actions.

“If anyone admits that they did it unintentionally, no action will be taken. But those who did it knowingly or deliberately will have to face the consequences,” he said.

Sarma added that social media monitoring cells had been instructed to identify and trace all objectionable activity related to the Delhi blast.

Police Identify 34 Individuals for Questioning

According to senior police officials, 34 individuals have so far been identified statewide for posting or forwarding content deemed objectionable. While 15 have been arrested, others are under surveillance or have been issued summons for questioning.

The Assam Police’s Cyber Crime Investigation Division has reportedly intensified coordination with district-level units to ensure a uniform response. “We are adopting a two-tier verification process before making arrests to avoid targeting people who may have acted unintentionally,” an official said.

He added that police teams were also in touch with major social media platforms to obtain account details, IP addresses, and digital footprints of those under investigation.

Ensuring Accountability and Social Harmony

The Assam government has in recent years strengthened its legal framework to tackle online hate and misinformation. In 2024, the state police established dedicated cyber monitoring cells in all 35 districts to detect and respond to digital offences, particularly those linked to communal incitement or terrorism.

Officials said the current crackdown is part of that policy framework, aimed at deterring online behaviour that could disrupt public order.

Legal experts have, however, urged the police to exercise caution and ensure that freedom of expression is not unduly curtailed. “While glorification of terrorism is unacceptable, authorities must ensure that arrests are evidence-based and proportionate,” said Guwahati-based lawyer Rupam Bora.

The Delhi Blast Context

The arrests come amid ongoing national shock and outrage over the November 10 blast near the Red Fort metro stationin Delhi. A white Hyundai i20 car exploded during rush hour, killing at least ten people and injuring dozens. The incident has been linked to an alleged “white-collar terror module” involving doctors and professionals connected to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind.

Police investigations have since uncovered a network operating across Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi-NCR, leading to multiple arrests, including those of three doctors linked to Al Falah University in Faridabad.

As the probe continues, authorities across states are on high alert against the spread of misinformation and extremist narratives online.

Looking Ahead

The Assam Police have said their investigation into the offensive social media posts is ongoing, and more arrests are expected in the coming days. Officials have appealed to citizens to exercise restraint and responsibility while posting online, especially about sensitive national security issues.

“Freedom of speech does not mean freedom to glorify violence or demean victims,” a senior police spokesperson said. “Our goal is not to silence people but to maintain decency, empathy, and peace in the digital space.”

With more than 30 cyber units working round the clock, the Assam Police’s latest action underscores how law enforcement is adapting to the fast-moving world of social media — and how virtual applause for violence can now have very real-world consequences.