Assam govt undertakes survey of all madrassas

We have decided to merge small madrasas that are generally used to spread radicalism with larger ones to reduce the threat, Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta has said here.

"It has been decided that there will be only one madrasa within a periphery of three kilometres and those with 50 or fewer students will be merged with larger ones in the vicinity," DGP said.

A survey is on to create a database of all such educational institutions in the state.

Assam, with a sizable Muslim population, is a "natural target" for radicalisation and such activities are usually undertaken in small madrasas, Mahanta said.

The state police have busted nine modules of terror outfits Ansarul Bangla Team (ABT) and Al Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and arrested 53 suspected terrorists last year, he said.

"We have nipped the menace in the bud but the concern is there. The police are always alert and coordinate with states like West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh," he said.

After the outfits were banned in Bangladesh and some of their top leaders were hanged following court orders in the neighbouring country, they shifted their base to Uttar Pradesh and their target is to trap vulnerable youth by radicalising them, the DGP said.

"Assam has been their target and some activists from Bangladesh, who are now absconding, had earlier visited the state as teachers in small and newly set up Madrasas in a bid to radicalise the youth," the DGP said.

Mahanta said it was the Muslim leaders who approached the authorities to check these activities, and at a meeting with 68 community leaders, it was agreed to bring about educational reforms in madrasas.

Besides teaching Arabic, the revised curriculum will follow modern educational trends, with particular emphasis on skill development.

Four streams of Islamic studies are followed in the state and it was decided that a board comprising members from each, will be formed.

A survey is going on to prepare a database of all madrasas, which will include land details, number of teachers, students and syllabus.

It was expected to be ready by Jan 25 this year.