Villagers in Assam Give New Angle to Madrassa Razing in Goalpara

GOALPARA: The villagers of Daroga Alga Char in Goalpara have given a new angle to the whole madrassa demolition story and has alleged that they tore down the madrassa on instructions given by the police. 

The Superintendent of Police, V.V. Rakesh Reddy,IPS Goalpara have outrightly rejected the allegations and said, " The police force had "absolutely no role" directly or indirectly in bringing down the seminary and the adjacent temporary one-room house."

According to the police, the Darogar Alga madrassa and a reed house on its premises were demolished on 6th September by the villagers themselves after the emergence of "suspected jihadi links" with its two teachers, who were reportedly Bangladeshis.

"I was among those who pulled down the two structures. I was working in my jute field on the riverside when Shukur Ali (a villager) called me to the madrassa compound. He asked me to arrange some other people and help him demolish the madrassa" Rahim Badshah, a local, told PTI here.

Shukur Ali told the villagers that he has connection with the police and they have instructed him to bring down the madrassa. 

He also told the villagers that some high officials of the Police are heading to the area to inspect the demolition but no one showed up later. 

It is to be noted here that the media was already present before the demolition and covered every bit of the incident. 

When Ali was questioned he admitted to have called the media beforehand but was mum on the police's instruction to demolish the madrassa. 

"From our side, there was no communication for the villagers saying that they would proceed with it (demolition). Had it been planned, the district administration would have taken the steps accordingly with minimal media coverage" the Superintendent of Police, Reddy added. 

Reddy also said that the villagers had no idea that the teachers who left the madrassa in haste had any kind of terror links. 

Also Read: Goalpara Police arrested Jihadi module in-charge

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