Guwahati: Muslim religious functions have became a shadow event for Al Qaeda In Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) terrorists to enter Assam for a long period. This came to light after the arrest of two Imams in Goalpara district on Sunday by Assam police. Abdus Subhan (43) and Jalaluddin Seikh (49), both are Imams of two Masjid in Goalpara districts, were arrested by Assam police after they received specific inputs about their involvement in Jihadi activities. Goalpara police arrested them on the basis of input regarding their involvement with Al Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS)
During interrogation it was revealed by the arrested Imams Abdus Subhan and Jalaluddin Seikh that they organised one Islamic Dharma Sabha (Religious function) in Dec 2019 at Sundarpur Tilapara Madrassa. Many Bangladeshi nationals with links to AQIS were invited as guest speakers. Locals of the area told the media that the Bangladeshi religious speakers were strange in behaviour. They stayed in the masjid for several days but never interacted with the locals. They didn’t speak fluent Bangla languages. When the locals doubted them the religious people vanished.
Police found in their initial investigation that the arrested Imams from Goalpara district were involved in providing logistic support as well as sheltering to now absconding Bangladeshi nationals. They confessed to being members of AQIS and recruited Ansars/Sleeper Cells in Assam. Their active linkages have been found with Barpeta and Morigaon modules of the AQIS/Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT).
During house searches of the arrested Imams, lot of incriminating material related to AQIS, Jihadi literature, posters, books among other documents were seized along with mobile phones, SIM cards and ID cards.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma told media that six Bangladeshi nationals involved in Jihadi activities are absconding in the state. Government has decided to make it mandatory for every Imam coming from other places to register themself with the police. Accordingly, a fresh case has been registered at Matia police station. NIA is also investigating the matter.
