Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday claimed that over 850 foreign-based social media accounts — including those from Bangladesh and Pakistan — have shown a suspicious rise in support of the Congress party in the state. He termed this trend “deeply worrying” and warned of foreign interference in regional politics.
Surge in Foreign-Linked Social Media Accounts Raises Alarm
During a press briefing, Sarma disclosed that government cyber teams identified 618 accounts originating from Bangladesh and 236 from Pakistan. These accounts have been allegedly pushing pro-Congress content, especially targeting young voters in lower Assam and Barak Valley.
“These aren’t ordinary supporters. They’re structured, coordinated, and often linked to radical Islamic pages. This is not just political propaganda. It is a clear attempt to destabilise Assam,” Sarma stated.
He added that many of these profiles were created between April and June 2025, just months before the local body elections.
Radical Content on the Rise On Social Media
According to preliminary analysis by Assam Police’s cyber intelligence wing, around 5,000 newly created social media accounts have been linked to radical Islamic content. These include posts glorifying extremist ideologies, targeting state institutions, and spreading communal narratives.
Officials believe that these accounts could be part of a larger network designed to manipulate public opinion, particularly in religiously sensitive regions of Assam.
Forensic Audit Ordered
In response to this alarming digital pattern, Sarma said that a full forensic audit is underway. Cybersecurity experts from national agencies have been called in to examine how deep this influence runs.
“We will not let Assam become a playground for digital misinformation. If any party is getting backing from foreign-funded radicals, the people of Assam must know,” he declared.
Congress Denies Allegations
Reacting swiftly, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) dismissed the allegations as a political distraction. APCC president Bhupen Borah called Sarma’s remarks “baseless” and “an attempt to divert attention from real issues like unemployment, inflation, and rising crime.”
“This is classic deflection. The BJP is nervous about growing public support for Congress, and now they are inventing Pakistani and Bangladeshi conspiracies,” Borah said.
Opposition Seeks Proof
Several opposition leaders have demanded that the BJP government present verifiable data. Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi said, “This isn’t a movie. If there is real data, show it in public. Otherwise, this is just fear-mongering.”
Digital rights organisations have also urged the government to strike a balance between cybersecurity and freedom of expression.
Not the First Alert
This isn’t the first time Assam has seen a social media-triggered controversy. In 2022, a network of fake news pages promoting communal violence was busted in Barpeta. That case had also revealed links to foreign handlers.
Sarma claimed that this time, the activity is “far more organised and tech-savvy.”
Calls for Social Media Regulation
The state government has now written to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), seeking tighter monitoring of social platforms, especially during election seasons.
The chief minister urged platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram to cooperate fully with ongoing investigations and block accounts found to be violating Indian law.
What Lies Ahead?
With elections nearing, Assam may witness more digital warfare between political camps. The state’s political climate is already charged, and allegations of foreign meddling could further polarise the electorate.
Whether these accounts significantly influence voter behaviour remains to be seen. But the government’s move to publicly highlight foreign digital interference has stirred both political and public debate.
Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY)
Call to Action:
Stay informed. Report suspicious online activity to cyber authorities. Let’s keep Assam’s democratic space safe and transparent.