Assam CM calls demolished madrasas "Al-Qaeda offices"

Guwahati: Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the madrasas demolished in Goalpara district were Al-Qaeda offices. He added that the public is coming to demolish others.

"The Muslim community is coming to demolish, saying that they do not want a madrasa where the work of Al-Qaeda is done. That changes the madrasa's character," he added. "The government was not involved in it. They were surprised that the jihadi who was arrested was a teacher in the madrassa. People have given a strong message that they do not support jihadi activities," reported ANI.

His statement comes after local residents of Pakhuria Char demolished a madrasa on Tuesday after a cleric was alleged of anti-national activities.

The Assam Police CPRO said the local involvement in demolishing the madrasa and the residence adjacent to it shows strong resentment towards jihadi activities. The building was previously used by two suspected Bangladeshi nationals.

On Saturday, two suspected terrorists linked with the Al-Qaeda Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) terror groups were arrested by the Assam police in the Goalpara district.

Goalpara SP VV Rakesh Reddy said that they, during interrogation, found that the suspects are directly connected with Barpeta and Morigaon modules of AQIS/ABT in Assam. A number of incriminating material related to the Al-Qaeda, Jihadi elements, posters, books, documents, mobile phones, SIM cards, and ID cards were found in their homes," he added.

The official told ANI that the suspects provided shelter and support to Bangladeshi nationals who are currently absconding. "They confessed to being members of AQIS and recruiting Ansars/Sleeper Cells in Goalpara. They revealed direct funding and supports have come from the absconding Bangladeshi terrorists."