Two arrested for 'pro-Ulfa' posts on Facebook

GUWAHATI: Two youths were arrested in Sivasagar district for "pro-Ulfa" posts on Facebook over the past week.
On Wednesday, a woman from Simaluguri - Munmi Borgohain (26) - was arrested for a post "supporting" the militant outfit. Last week, a youth from Nazira, Gyandeep Gogoi, was arrested for a similar post. Both have been booked under various sections related to conspiracy and abetting unlawful and terrorist activity.
Police said they had been in touch with each other for a long time.
"The two even had a conversation on social media in which they expressed their support of Ulfa (I). They were trying to popularise the outfit's ideology," police added.
Police did not implicate the two arrested over the past week of having direct links with Ulfa (I) but did not rule it out either.
"Following the grenade blast in Guwahati, names of several civilians believed to be working as overground workers for the outfit have surfaced. A detailed investigation will reveal more about their role," a source said.
In the aftermath of the recent Guwahati blasts, a sleeper cell of the militant outfit had also been discovered functioning in the state. A retired school teacher and TV actor had been arrested for running the cell with "direct orders" from the outfit's chief Paresh Baruah, followed by a student leader at Gauhati University - making it clear that the outfit continues to have sympathisers from all walks of life.
Over the past year, police and security forces have identified social media as a recruitment platform for the outfit.
"Our social networking surveillance team is keeping an eye out for such illegal activities over social media.
"Anyone found to be involved in such activities will be not be spared," Sivasagar SP Amitava Sinha told TOI.
Besides, accounts posting "incriminating messages" or fake news are also under the radar, police added.