After hastags used to ‘defame Assam’, Mizoram CM urges people to make judicious use of social media

Aug 1: A twitterati on 28 July wrote, “Saw the’ Shame on Assam’ hashtag trending.. so did a quick check on who is trending it. Found that most of the handles are from the USA, only 1/3rd from India. Just 2.6 million reach shows that mostly bots were used. Who is behind it?” Commenting on it, Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted, “Very serious matter. I agree – Need to know who is behind this ?” A similar accusation was made by journalist Narendra Nath Mishra who in a tweet mentioned that almost 60 percent of twitter handles are fake which were being operated from outside India “to spread lies about Assam.”

Very serious matter. I agree – Need to know who is behind this ? https://t.co/Cp2IW2g6sc

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 28, 2021

In the face of these allegations, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Sunday stated, “In order to prevent any possible escalation of the situation, I request the people of Mizoram to avaoid posting sensative messages and to make judicious use of their social media platforms.”

The two states share a 165 kms long border and decades of dispute over the boundary issue. On 26 July, 2021, Mizoram forces accompanied by Mizo goons rained bullets indiscriminately upon Assam Police, which led to the death of 6 police personnel and injury of more than 40 of them including the then Superintendent of Police of Cachar. Police on both sides have lodged cases following the incident with Mizoram Police going a step ahead to register FIR against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Meanwhile, Mizoram Rajya Sabha MP has threatened to “kill all Assam Police personnel” if they try to enter Assam. Assam Police has lodged a complaint and is in Delhi to question the MP who is in ‘hiding’ at present.

Meanwhile, since the border clash on 26 July, there have been a tremendous increase in use of social media where accusations and counter accusations are still going on. Particularly, Assam Chief Minister has stated that most of the twitter handles trolling Assam are suspicious and seems to be fake.