Assam tense as illegal migrant issue resurfaces
17 Jun 2009, 2028 Hrs

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Jorhat (Assam), June 17 Activists in Assam's Jorhat district have alleged that a madrassa in Titabor region is sheltering a number of illegal migrants, and called for a 12-hour shutdown against state government's inaction.

Activists of Jatiya Yuba Chatra Parishad and some former Madrassa-e-Islamia workers expressed fear that the migrants might be involved in various illegal activities.

"According to the Investigation Officer, 87 students are there in the madrassa and they provided photocopy of it president of madrassa, Farooq Ahmed. Others had firmly said that there are not more than 87 students in the madrassa. But they organized a press meet before the issue was raised and said that there are 150 students and they sent me a letter asking food for 150 students. Now, they are unable to provide any information on the whereabouts of remaining 63 students. In that case why the administration is not taking any steps or action against them. We hope that the state govt, especially chief minister would conduct a high level enquiry regarding this problem," said Mukhtar Ahmed, former Secretary Madrassa-e-Islamia.

In the wake of a 12-hour shutdown called by AJYCP activists, policemen patrolled the streets to keep a check on any untoward activity.

People of the area see it as threat to their security and want the government to take action against the madrasas.

"It is a very serious problem for Titobar and entire Assam. Rebels are being trained here (at the madrassa) and then they are sent for carrying out blasts and other such activities. It has become a security problem for the locals. It is because of the porous border that people from Bangladesh enter the country easily and the state government and especially the chief minister should take strict steps to curtail the problem," said Anuj Kumar Das, a local.

An increasingly strong student movement that has been campaigning against immigrants sparked off the current conflict.

Despite fencing its 4,000-kilometre border with Bangladesh, India has not been able to stop migrants coming to Assam.

Assam shares a 272 km (169 mile) porous border with Bangladesh. (ANI)

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