Amid a wave of national pride following Pakistan’s crushing defeat in Operation Sindoor, two youths have been arrested in separate incidents across West Bengal for allegedly sharing pro-Pakistan and anti-India content on social media. The arrests have sparked widespread protests among locals, who condemned the actions as deeply offensive.
In the first incident, police in Bankura district detained a youth identified as Imran Sheikh, also known as Samrat, from the Barajora Bazar area. He is accused of posting images and captions on social media that appeared to support Pakistan while criticising India. According to sources, Imran and another youth had recently moved to the area from Murshidabad to work as hawkers.
Local residents reported that Imran Sheikh uploaded images and posts on his social media profile expressing support for Pakistan amid the ongoing Indo-Pak conflict. The posts allegedly included derogatory remarks against India. After the content surfaced, local BJP workers confronted Imran and his companion on Sunday evening. They reportedly made the two stand on a Pakistani flag, hold their ears in apology, and chant slogans such as “Hindustan Zindabad” and “Pakistan Murdabad” before handing them over to the Barajora police.
That night, Imran Sheikh was arrested, while his companion was released due to insufficient evidence. The following day, Imran was produced before the Bankura District Court and was booked under sections 196, 197(1)(c), 152, 352, and 353(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
In a separate incident in Purba Burdwan district, a youth named Milan Sheikh was arrested for allegedly sharing a misleading image on social media. The photo falsely portrayed destruction in India as a consequence of a Pakistani attack, with a caption claiming, “India has admitted defeat to Pakistan.”
Sources revealed that strict legal action has been initiated against Milan Sheikh for allegedly making provocative statements against the nation, undermining national sovereignty, and attempting to demoralise the Indian Army. He was produced before the court on Monday, where the judge ordered seven days of police custody. During the hearing, Milan claimed that he had posted the content “by mistake, without realising its implications.”
The arrests have triggered strong reactions among local residents, who have demanded strict action against those spreading false information and attempting to glorify Pakistan at the cost of national pride. Authorities have reiterated that any attempts to incite communal tension or undermine the Indian Army will be dealt with firmly.
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