A youth from Murshidabad was arrested by the Bankura police on Sunday night for allegedly sharing anti-India and pro-Pakistan content on social media.
Identified as Imran Sheikh alias Samrat, the youth was apprehended by local Bharatiya Janata Party workers in Barjora and later handed over to the police. The incident marks the third such arrest in recent days, highlighting a growing concern over inflammatory digital content.
According to police sources, Sheikh was residing in Barjora, Bankura, where he worked as a hawker after arriving from the Chandpara Raghunathganj area of Murshidabad. He reportedly lived in a rented house along with a few associates. The controversy erupted after BJP workers and local residents discovered provocative images and comments allegedly supporting Pakistan and disparaging India on his Facebook profile.
Upon confronting him, BJP workers reportedly compelled Sheikh to perform a public apology by holding his ears and shouting slogans like "Hindustan Zindabad", before turning him over to the authorities. The arrest took place under the jurisdiction of Barjora police station and Sheikh was produced before the Bankura District Court on Monday.
“We have registered a case against the accused under several serious sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertain to acts of sedition, misconduct and assault against public servants.
Confirming the arrest, BJP leader of Barjora Gram Panchayat Govind Ghosh said, “The hawker from Murshidabad was actively posting anti-national content and expressing support for Pakistan on his social media profile. As soon as it came to our notice, we, along with local citizens, detained him and handed him over to the police.”
He, further, asserted, “We will not tolerate such elements in our society. If the administration fails to act, we will launch strong protests to ensure such anti-national activities are stopped immediately.”
Meanwhile, Bankura district police have reiterated their commitment to maintaining vigilance over digital platforms. In an official statement, they informed that constant surveillance is being conducted across social media, and strict legal action will be taken against anyone posting content deemed anti-national or hateful.
This arrest comes shortly after similar incidents in Upadhamanda village of Raipur block and Barasat in North 24 Parganas, where youths were arrested for allegedly insulting the Indian Army and engaging in seditious online behaviour. These events have amplified public scrutiny over the unchecked spread of incendiary content on social platforms and the role of vigilantism in law enforcement.
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