Guwahati, 24 April (HS): Assam Police arrested AIUDF’s Dhing MLA Aminul Islam for his controversial statement linking the Pahalgam and Pulwama terror attacks to the BJP leadership.

During a rally on April 23, Islam accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of using these attacks for political gain. He had said, If the truth does not come out, people will be forced to believe that Modi and Shah were behind these attacks.

After this statement, protests broke out across the state and the demand for strict action against him intensified.

AIUDF chief Maulana Badruddin Ajmal distanced the party from the MLA’s statement and said, I heard that Aminul Islam has been arrested for his statement. This is unfortunate. These are his personal views, the party has nothing to do with it. Ajmal also said that “our party stands with the state government, as terrorism has no religion or caste.”

Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma reacted to Islam’s statement without naming him and said that strict action will be taken against pro-Pakistan statements. “The central government will take strict action on such anti-national statements, no matter what position he holds.”

Islam’s statement is being condemned from all quarters. Many have demanded strict punishment for him for inciting communal tension and making anti-national statements.

Earlier, Chief Minister Sarma had also raised questions about Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi’s visit to Pakistan and called for an inquiry into his alleged links with the Pakistani establishment. This has further increased tension in Assam politics.

Aminul Islam’s arrest ahead of panchayat elections has further raised the political temperature.——

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash