New Delhi: Days after Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma vowed action against madrassas in the state with terror links, the administration has taken the task to raze the illegal structures with bulldozers.
Today, a madrassa in Jogighopa region of Bongaigaon district was demolished over alleged links to terror organization Al-Qaeda. Videos of the bulldozers demolishing Markazul Ma-Arif Quariayana Madrasa at Kabaitary Part-IV village in Bongaigaon district surfaced on social media, evoking multiple reactions.
The demolition of Markazul Ma-Arif Quariayana Madrasa comes, days after the arrest of five people with alleged links Bangladesh-based extremist group. According to a leading portal, the madrassa was accused of sheltering an unspecified number of students without necessary approvals.
#WATCH | Assam: Markazul Ma-Arif Quariayana Madrasa, located at Kabaitary Part-IV village in Bongaigaon district, being demolished
This is the 3rd Madrasa demolished by the Assam government following arrests of 37 persons including Imam and Madrasa teachers linked with AQIS/ABT pic.twitter.com/zTQiiicAne
— ANI (@ANI) August 31, 2022
A day go, the Assam cops also seized key documents related to Al-Qaeda and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) from the madrassa. The institute also didn’t have essential documents for carrying out multiple activities inside the campus.
“Yesterday, Goalpara district police had also conducted a search operation along with an arrested person linked with AQIS/ABT in the Madrasa. As per direction of the district administration, we have started the process to demolish the Madrasa,” SP Swapnaneel Deka said.
Notably, this is the third madrassa to be brought down after the arrest of 37 persons including Imam and Madrasa teachers linked with Al-Qaeda Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT).
Earlier this month, Jamiul Huda Madrassa, run by terror accused Mufti Mustafa Ahmed was razed in Morigaon district of the state.
Assam CM had recently spoken about the ‘mushrooming’ of jihadi activities in the state, due to flawed policies of previous regimes and also told the press that 5 terror modules with links to Bangladesh based terror outfit Ansarul Islam were busted in 5 months.
The Assam Police has also stepped up its drive against suspicious elements and a strict vigil is being maintained. It has nabbed over 40 people in last 5-6 months with alleged ‘jihadi connection’.
