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IIT-Guwahati Student Arrested for Alleged ISIS Links
Guwahati, Mar 24 (PTI) – A student from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Guwahati has been arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act after allegedly pledging allegiance to ISIS, according to a senior official in the region.
Background Information
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also serves as the Home Minister, revealed that two students from IIT-Guwahati were identified as having connections with ISIS and attempting to join the extremist group. However, one of the students remains unaccounted for at the moment.
Arrest and Investigation
The detained student, Touseef Ali Farooqui, a 4th-year Bioscience department student, was apprehended on Saturday. Assam Police’s Special Task Force (STF) Inspector General Parthasarathi Mahanta stated that after questioning Farooqui, credible evidence of his ties to ISIS was discovered, leading to his arrest on Sunday.
Legal Proceedings
Farooqui, originally from Delhi, is facing charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Following his arrest, he was remanded to police custody for 10 days. A search conducted in his hostel room on the IIT-Guwahati campus also took place.
Continued Investigation
As the investigation progresses, authorities are conducting further questioning of the suspect to gather more information. The search for the second student allegedly linked to ISIS continues, with efforts to locate and apprehend him ongoing.
Official Statements
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the radicalisation of the students and informed their parents. He also mentioned that central agencies have been alerted about the situation.
Discovery of Alleged ISIS Affiliation
The student’s involvement with ISIS came to light when he was intercepted in the Hajo area of Kamrup district while reportedly en route to join the terrorist organisation. This incident occurred shortly after the arrest of ISIS India head Haris Farooqi and his associate in Dhubri district.
Seizure of Potential Evidence
Authorities found a black flag resembling that of ISIS in Farooqui’s hostel room, which has been sent to specialised agencies for verification. The discovery has raised concerns about potential extremist activities within academic institutions.
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