NIA charges 11 over bid to expand terror group's ideology in Bengal, Northeast

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed charges against 11 persons in connection with an alleged terror conspiracy orchestrated by an offshoot of the proscribed Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) terrorist organisation.

The accused have been charged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly attempting to expand extremist ideology in multiple parts of India.

The chargesheet has been filed before the special NIA court in Guwahati. The central agency's probe has allegedly revealed the active involvement of the accused persons in a conspiracy to expand the radical ideology of Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK) – a manifestation of the JBM – in West Bengal and north-eastern states, including Assam and Tripura.

The conspiracy allegedly involved promotion of the terror outfit's extremist agenda, radicalisation of vulnerable young people, and expansion of its network in India.

According to the NIA, its investigators found that IMK was established by Imam Mahmud Habibullah, senior member of the JMB, in order to promote the banned outfit’s nefarious agenda on Indian soil.

NIA investigations have also allegedly revealed that the 11 accused had conspired to grow the presence of IMK and JBM in the nation through clandestine meetings, religious indoctrination programmes, circulation of extremist literature, and use of digital platforms for anti-India propaganda.

They were promoting allegiance to the leadership of the two outfits, per the anti-terror agency. Two key accused among the 11 named in NIA's chargesheet have been identified as Nasimuddin, who was allegedly spearheading IMK's activities in Assam, and Jagir Mia, who is accused of leading the outfit in Tripura.

During the course of the investigation, NIA purportedly uncovered a trail of incriminating documents, electronic devices and digital records, which were used to build the case against the accused. Further investigation into the case is underway.

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