GUWAHATI: In a major step to curb the spread of Jihadi ideology in the state, the Assam government has imposed a total ban on all forms of radical or Jihadi literature, print or digital, linked to certain terror outfits, invoking Sections 98 and 99 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The Home Department of the government issued a notification on 3rd December prohibiting the publication, circulation, sale, storage and digital sharing of any material associated with terror outfits, including Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), Ansar-Al-Islam/pro-AQIS. According to the notification, the Jihadi content violates several legal provisions, including Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (objectionable content) and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act (transmission of objectionable electronic material) and is liable to forfeiture by the government.
“…the Government of Assam prohibits the publication, printing, circulation, distribution, sale, exhibition, possession and storage, whether physical or digital of any radical or jihadi literature, documents, materials or digital content…as well as all websites, social media pages, encrypted channels, online groups or digital platforms propagating such extremist or jihadi content for safeguarding internal security and preventing vulnerable youth from falling prey to extremist propaganda,” the order reportedly stated.
“…such material includes content glorifying violent jihad, promoting radicalisation, providing ideological indoctrination, and facilitating recruitment, operational guidance, and incitement against the sovereignty of India, thereby posing a grave threat to public order, internal security and communal harmony,” the order added. It further mentioned that the publication, circulation, exhibition and possession of such material attract offences under relevant sections of the BNSS, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Information Technology Act.
As per reports, the order was issued by the government after receiving intelligence inputs, cyber-patrolling reports, and recent investigations by the Assam Police and the Special Task Force, which indicated continued circulation, possession, dissemination and digital transmission of radical/jihadi literature, publications, documents and digital propaganda materials. The banned content includes material glorifying Jihadi ideology, providing ideological indoctrination, offering operational guidance and encouraging recruitment to terrorist organisations.
In their communication to the government, the authorities highlighted that the literature is associated with organisations designated as terrorist groups under Section 35 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The state Judicial Department told the government that the availability of such Jihadi material creates a possibility of radicalisation of young, vulnerable minds, leading to disturbed social harmony.
The order stated that any violation of the law would attract an action by the Assam Police, Special Branch, Crime Investigation Department, district Senior Superintendents of Police, cybercrime units and all law-enforcement agencies. Pertinently, in a separate action, the Assam Police earlier arrested several individuals linked to JMB and ABT for radicalising youth.
