Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday revealed that over 5,000 Facebook and other social media accounts, mostly operated from abroad, have been suddenly activated to influence political discourse around the Assam Congress and the Chief Minister himself.
Addressing a press conference, Sarma said these accounts largely promote hardline Islamic fundamentalist content—pro-Palestine, pro-Iran, and pro-Muhammad Yunus—while notably not following Rahul Gandhi or the broader Indian National Congress.
“These accounts are from 47 countries, including Bangladesh and Pakistan,” he added. The accounts mainly post fundamentalist Islamic ideology content, including calls for the annihilation of Israel and anti-India messages, alongside Assam-specific political propaganda.
Sarma stated a government study had examined 2,092 such accounts, with investigations ongoing. “Social media has become a big weapon for some people to disturb the atmosphere inside and outside Assam,” he said, highlighting this as unprecedented foreign interference aimed at Assam’s elections.
Additionally, the Chief Minister updated on the ONGC gas leak situation, confirming that the oil well causing the leak since June 12 will be capped soon. A U.S. expert team is arriving to assist, and about half of the groundwork for containment is complete. Over 330 affected families have been safely evacuated.
