The Assam Government has banned all forms of radical or jihadi literature and documents associated with proscribed extremist organisations, invoking Section 98 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. “The Government of Assam, after careful observation, has decided to prohibit publication, printing, circulation, distribution, sale, exhibition, possession and storage, whether physical or digital of any radical or jihadi literature, documents, materials or digital content associated with Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), Ansar-Al-Islam/pro-AQIS or any other similar banned or affiliated/similar outfit,” the directive issued by the political (A) department of the state government, read.
The ban has been imposed on all websites, social media pages, encrypted channels, online groups or digital platforms propagating extremist or jihadi content, in order to safeguard internal security and prevent vulnerable youths from falling prey to extremist propaganda. “Assam Police, Special Branch, Crime Investigation Department, District Senior Superintendents of Police, Cyber Crime Units and all law-enforcement agencies shall ensure strict enforcement of this notification and take necessary legal action under applicable provisions of law against all violators,” the notification, which came into effect on Wednesday, said.
“Intelligence inputs, cyber-patrolling reports and recent investigations undertaken by Assam Police and the Special Task Force (STF), Assam indicate the continued circulation, possession, dissemination and digital transmission of radical/jihadi literature, publications, documents and digital propaganda materials linked to the proscribed organisations,” the notification read. The directive follows communication from the Assam Police’s law and order branch and observations from the judicial department, warning that such literature, which includes “content glorifying violent jihad, promoting radicalisation, providing ideological indoctrination, and facilitating recruitment, operational guidance, and incitement against the sovereignty of India” poses a serious threat to India’s sovereignty, internal security, communal harmony and public order. The authorities informed that the outfits, being terrorist organisations, stand proscribed under Section 35 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
