Raipur: The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Chhattisgarh has detained two minors from Chhattisgarh’s Raipur after they were allegedly found to be operating for the terror outfit Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The duo has been taken in custody following the state’s ATS identified and found that both of them are operating on the instructions of a Pakistan based module of the ISIS.
Sharing the details, state’s deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma informed ” They (accused) were themselves influenced by extremist content and were attempting to influence others on Instagram. They had access to considerable information and were extensively using the internet and social media under the ISIS name.
The deputy CM further informed that the government will expand the ATS to track, identify such individuals across major cities of the state and strict action will be taken against them.
Sharma added that he will himself request the Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai for the expansion of the anti-terror unit. He also urged the people to immediately approach the police if any social media handle spreading anti-national content.
According to officials as cited in media reports, the handlers of the Pakistan based ISIS module were allegedly using Instagram IDs to target youths and teenager in Bharat. They were involved in promoting violent extremism and Jihadist ideology and incite youths to get involve in anti-Bharat activities.
The handlers reportedly added the detained minors to Instagram group chats and were systematically radicalising them. The detained individuals were encouraged to circulate violent content and ISIS propaganda online. They were also reportedly being motivated to establish an ISIS module in the state.
Both the detained individuals were booked under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967. This is reportedly the first such case that has come to light in Chhattisgarh and the authorities are also probing if there are other such individuals active in the state.
