The Jorhat district administration on Tuesday demolished a madrasa and the boundary wall of an adjoining mosque after members of the Assamese nationalist organisation Bir Lachit Sena alleged that the structures were built illegally.
Officials said the demolition was carried out under tight police security to avoid any law-and-order disturbances.
The Sena, a regional outfit known for its aggressive anti-immigration stance, claimed the religious structures were encroaching on public land.
While the administration has yet to produce official records confirming the “encroachment,” a senior official stated the move was part of a “routine drive” to clear unauthorised constructions.
The Bir Lachit Sena hailed the demolition as a “victory for indigenous rights” and signalled plans to press for similar actions in other parts of Assam. Critics, however, warned that such moves could deepen anti-Muslim bias.
Community members voiced outrage, saying the madrasa had been an educational hub for local children for years.
“They also claimed that it is an attempt to erase a part of their identity,” said one resident.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com.
