Guwahati (Assam), Sept 1 :The authorities on Wednesday demolished a madrasa in Bongaigaon district after allegations that its premises were being used for terror activities.
Several bulldozers were seen demolishing Markazul MaArif Quariayana Madrasa located at Kabaitary Part IV village, which falls under the Jogighopa police station. The Bongaigaon district administration deployed security personnel in force in the area.
This is the third madrasa to be razed by the Assam Government following the arrest of 37 persons, including an imam and madrasa teachers, on charges of being linked to terror outfits Al-Qaida in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT).
SP Bongaigaon, Swapnaneel Deka informed that a notice regarding the demolition was issued to the Madrasa authority on Tuesday.
Of the nearly 200 students, most of them were sent back home, while a few others who stayed on the Madrasa premises shifted to nearby institutions before carrying out the demolition.
Hafizur Rahman, a teacher of this madrasa, was arrested on August 26 based on information provided by two imams earlier nabbed by the place from the Goalpara district.
Police claimed that Rahman and two imams have strong links with the terror outfits Al-Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT).
“We have found some incriminating documents while searching the madrasa,” Deka said.
Asked about the reason behind the demolition, the police officer said that the madrasa was constructed violating the government norms and necessary permissions for the building were also not sought.
“So, it was demolished under provisions of the Disaster Management Act”, he added.
In the last five months, Assam police have arrested around 40 people for their alleged links to Al-Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT).
A day after a madrasa was demolished in Assam’s Bongaigaon district, the district administration has imposed Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in the district, on Thursday, Sept 1. As per the order, the restrictions have been imposed “due to prevailing situation in some parts of the district after apprehending of anti-national activities.”
“There is every likelihood of breach of public peace & tranquility in Bongaigaon,” the order read.
(With Agency inputs )
