Ghaziabad Police Arrest Six Under UAPA for Alleged Terrorist Propaganda Activities
In a significant crackdown, Ghaziabad police have arrested six individuals from Nahal village near Masuri under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The arrests were made following a tip-off regarding their alleged involvement with banned terrorist organizations through social media platforms.
Details of the Arrests and Allegations
The arrested persons include an advocate, a madrasa teacher (previously a maulana), an LLB student, two labourers, and a 20-year-old grocery store worker who is alleged to be the group's leader. According to DCP (rural) Surendra Nath Tiwari, the police received intelligence from their social media monitoring team indicating that these men were regularly watching and sharing videos from terrorist outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and content related to Pakistan-based militant Farhatullah Ghori.
Surveillance and Arrest: The police conducted extensive surveillance before apprehending the suspects near the Mubarikpur culvert on the route between Nahal and Masuri on Thursday. The operation was led by the chowki-in-charge of Nahal and his team.
Investigation Findings and Motivations
During interrogation, the 20-year-old leader reportedly confessed that he initiated watching such videos approximately one and a half years ago with the intent to influence others. He claimed the group aimed to raise awareness about alleged atrocities and oppression faced by their community. The individuals are accused of repeatedly viewing videos from militant training camps of various banned organizations and forwarding them on messaging apps like WhatsApp.
Police Investigation: Authorities have filed an FIR under multiple sections, including:
- Section 152: Act endangering sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India
- Section 196: Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, regional groups, castes, and communities
- Section 61(2): Criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- Relevant sections of the UAPA
Additionally, police are probing the social media handles that originally posted the controversial videos. In a related development, the advocate's mother, identified as an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh, has also been registered in a case.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Probe
This incident highlights the growing concern over the use of social media for spreading extremist propaganda. The arrests underscore the vigilance of law enforcement agencies in monitoring online activities that threaten national security. The investigation remains active as authorities continue to examine the extent of the group's network and their potential connections to broader terrorist networks.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the legal repercussions associated with engaging with or promoting content from banned organizations, emphasizing the importance of digital literacy and compliance with anti-terrorism laws in India.
