Author: UNI
Publication: Webindia123.com
Date: October 28, 2008
URL: http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20081028/1090696.html
A mosque, believed to be a ''safe haven''
for illegal Bangladeshis has been closed down in Meghalaya.
The mosque located at Lumshnong (Umsahi),
Jaintia Hills, bordering Assam's Silchar town, was closed down by the Khasi
Students' Union (KSU) yesterday for allegedly providing shelter to illegal
Bangladeshi immigrants.
'' Yes, the mosque was closed down after we
found that it is being used as a safe haven for illegal Bangladeshis,'' KSU
President Samuel Jyrwa told UNI here today.
Mr Jyrwa added that the mosque sprang up in
the area ''without the permission from the village council.'' '' We won't
allow this to happen. The landowner too did not have any knowledge about the
mosque's construction,'' the KSU chief said.
However, Congress MLA and President of Shillong
Muslim Union Sayedullah Nongrum termed the closure of a place of worship as
''arbitrary and violated the fundamental right of an Indian citizen.'' ''Everyone
has the right to worship and profess one's faith. We will take up this issue,''
Mr Nongrum said.
But on the other hand, the Muslim leader said
the Union supports the KSU and other organizations in its drive against illegal
Bangladeshis from the state. ''The Muslim community members from the state
were also against illegal Bangladeshi influx,'' he stated.
''However, many MLAs from Assam have written
to me complaining that valid documents of labourers signed by the MLAs were
destroyed by members of KSU and other organizations during their drive against
illegal Bangladeshis,'' Mr Nongrum said.
During this month alone the KSU and other
organisations have nabbed more than 300 suspected illegal Bangladeshis in
Jaintia Hills. On October 23 alone, 43 suspected Bangladeshis were apprehended
by these organisations.
Most of the detained Bangladeshi nationals
claim to be residents of Assam and many were engaged as labourers in the mushrooming
cement plants in the district which shares a long international border with
Bangladesh.
