Assam Civil Society, an apolitical organisation of prominent Muslim residents of the state, on Monday appealed to the people of the state to inform the authorities or the police if they come across any “pro-Taliban” social media posts from any member of the minority community as such messages will only “disturb” peace in the state.

Formed in 2016, the society’s reaction follows Friday’s arrest of 14 persons from the Muslim community, including a medical student, a police constable, a politician and three maulanas, for their social media posts in support of the Taliban. The police have also warned the masses to be “careful” with what they post or what the like on social media platforms.

“What is happening in Afghanistan is their internal matter. Why should Muslims in Assam celebrate or support what is happening there? What the Taliban are doing there in name of Islam is completely un-Islamic and undemocratic. Supporting Taliban is unwarranted and condemnable as such posts will only lead to communal disharmony,” H.R.A. Choudhury, working president of the Civil Society, told The Telegraph.

The Taliban have been in the news since their recent take-over of Afghanistan and are known for their extreme views, especially on women’s rights, and also for their harsh steps against those who do not toe their line.

Choudhury also said that strict action should be taken against those posting pro-Taliban posts. “There is no sympathy for those who are either supporting the Taliban directly or indirectly. We welcome the government action against them,” Choudhury said.

Newly appointed Assam PCC president Bhupen Kumar Borah in a statement on Monday evening too “strongly” condemned those in “our” country expressing support for the Taliban.

“We also condemn those in our state that have extended moral support to the Taliban and demand that the government take strict action against them. We want strong action against the AIUDF leaders who support Taliban,” he said.

Through the statement, Borah also tried to check the ruling BJP from dragging the name of the Congress in any matter related to the AIUDF.

The Congress had stitched an alliance with the AIUDF in the recently-concluded Assembly polls which was won by the BJP-led coalition to get a second straight term at Dispur.

“They (BJP) must remember that people are also aware of the fact that an alliance between the two parties is still on in the districts of Nagaon, Darrang and Karimganj Zilla Parishad’s. They are also close in the Soksoka Anchalik Panchayat of Sorbhog, the previous home constituency of BJP minister Ranjit Das. Such alliance has raised questions among the people and their hypocrisy. The BJP should make its stand clear on this issue,” Borah said.

Nadeem Akhtar, 23, a medical student from Hailakandi district and Maulana Fazul Karim Qasimi of Darrang district, a general secretary of the Opposition AIUDF, were among those arrested for their posts in favour of the Taliban. AIUDF suspended Qasimi on Saturday.

They have been booked, among others, under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the IT Act and that they were closely monitoring social media platforms.