Assam CM Orders Investigation into Online Abuse Targeting Women, Including Journalists

Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam, has instructed the state police to probe into claims that women, including journalists, have been the target of inappropriate content on social media due to the misuse of their photographs.

Sarma assured reporters on Sunday while speaking on the sidelines of an event, "I will ask the DGP to look into the matter."

The controversy centers on social media groups such as "Assamese Girls Online" and "Assamese Beautiful Girls," which have been accused of misusing photographs of women, including journalists and entertainment industry figures, often without the women's consent.

These groups allegedly lured users with promises to arrange meetings with the women whose images are featured.

Several complaints have already been filed by victims, and the police have begun an investigation, a senior official confirmed.

The Assam Women Journalists’ Forum (AWJF) has strongly condemned the incidents, describing them as a blatant “case of online abuse and a crime against women.”

The AWJF expressed concern over the deliberate targeting of members of the press, stating, “It is disturbing that some of our members have been targeted in this smear campaign by unknown users running these Facebook pages,” the forum stated.

The AWJF has demanded a thorough investigation into the matter and asked media organizations to offer legal and institutional support.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with demands for stronger measures to tackle online abuse and safeguard the safety and dignity of individuals in the digital realm.

The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with demands for stronger measures to tackle online abuse and safeguard the safety and dignity of individuals in the digital realm.

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