Man arrested in Assam for posting pro-Pakistan comments from neighbour’s Facebook account

A footwear shop owner was arrested in Assam’s Barpeta district for posting pro-Pakistan and anti-Hindu comments from his neighbour’s Facebook account over personal enmity.

Updated on: Jun 4, 2018, 20:18:10 IST

Hindustan Times, Guwahati | By Utpal Parashar

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Police in Assam arrested a trader on Monday on charges of posting communally sensitive and pro-Pakistan comments from the Facebook account of his neighbour to spite him.

Comments praising Pakistan and derogatory remarks about Assamese and Hindus posted on poultry shop owner Ahedul Ali’s Facebook account had led to tension in Sorbhog town in Barpeta district. Some people also burnt down Ali’s shop. (AFP/Photo for representation)

The comments praising Pakistan and derogatory remarks about Assamese and Hindus posted on poultry shop owner Ahedul Ali’s page had led to tension in Sorbhog town in Barpeta district, 145 km west of Guwahati on Sunday night.

“The nature of the comments led some people to burn down Ali’s shop. Police swung into action swiftly and detained Ali,” informed Violet Baruah, superintendent of police, Barpeta.

On questioning, Ali revealed that he wasn’t technologically savvy and denied posting any offensive comments.

Investigations by police about the IP address from where the comments were posted led them to Jyotish Nath, a footwear shop owner, whose establishment was close to Ali’s poultry shop.

On questioning, Nath revealed that he had opened Ali’s Facebook account some months ago and was aware of the log-in id and password.

“Nath said he had enmity with Ali over money and other personal issues. On Sunday, he accessed the Ali’s account and posted the comments to target him,” said Baruah.

Police said Nath doesn’t have any political connections. Police have slapped sections of IT Act and IPC against Nath and are conducting further investigations.

Incidentally, Sorbhog assembly seat is represented by Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Assam state unit president of BJP.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

Facebook

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.