• 81 individuals arrested in Assam for allegedly sympathizing with Pakistan.
• Arrests follow a major conflict between India and Pakistan and social media crackdown.
• Indian authorities are also addressing issues of illegal immigration from Bangladesh.

Indian police have detained 81 individuals in Assam for allegedly “sympathizing” with Pakistan, a significant measure following one of the worst conflicts between the two nations in decades. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the arrests, stating, “81 anti-nationals are now behind bars for sympathizing with Pak,” amid increased scrutiny of social media activities relevant to national security. This clampdown aligns with the government's broader strategy to monitor and act against perceived anti-national sentiments, according to SCMP, Dawn, and Channel News Asia.

The arrests come on the heels of a deadly attack on April 22 in Indian-administered Kashmir, which has been described as one of the most severe assaults on civilians there in decades. Following the attack, India accused Pakistan of supporting the militant groups responsible, which Pakistan has denied. This escalation led to a four-day military conflict, marking the most significant stand-off since 1999, with a ceasefire established on May 10, 2023, as per reports by SCMP, Dawn, and Channel News Asia.

Among those arrested, one individual reportedly faced charges for posting a Pakistani flag on Instagram, illustrating the extent to which the authorities are cracking down on social media expressions deemed as anti-national. Furthermore, India’s counter-terrorism unit has arrested several individuals on espionage charges, highlighting ongoing concerns about security and loyalty within its borders, as documented by SCMP, Dawn, and Channel News Asia.

The Assam government is also tackling illegal immigration, particularly from Bangladesh, which shares a porous border with the northeastern state. Reports indicate that authorities have allegedly been deporting undocumented migrants, with at least 49 individuals reportedly pushed back between May 27 and May 29 alone. As relations with Bangladesh have deteriorated following a governmental upheaval, this trend raises further questions about regional stability and immigration practices in northeastern India, as highlighted by SCMP, Dawn, and Channel News Asia.