Pre-emptive operation: Over 100 nabbed in madrassa raids

Police says ‘suspicious activities’ noted in seminaries.

PESHAWAR:

Scores of suspects were apprehended when the police on Tuesday raided unregistered seminaries across Peshawar. The operation was conducted after “suspicious activity” was noted in the seminaries, said police officials.

The raids are part of a pre-emptive strategy to counter militant activity, said Senior Superintendent of Police Operation, Tahir Ayub while speaking to The Express Tribune.

“There were reports of suspicious activity in these seminaries and police stations in different areas have been asked to keep an eye on them,” Ayub said.

He confirmed that over 50 suspects have been taken into custody for screening, but other sources put the number at over a 100.

The raids were conducted in 10 seminaries in the jurisdiction of Yaqatoot Police Station and University town, sources said, adding that a number of those apprehended were illegal Afghan immigrants.

Ayub added that such raids will continue.

Following the raids, family members of apprehended students protested outside the Yaqatoot police station and demanded their release.

The police baton-charged at them and used tear gas to disperse the protestors.

“We do not demand the release of any one involved in anti-state activities, but those who are innocent should be released,” said Maulana Ismael Darwesh, teacher at one of the affected seminaries.

He insisted that his madrassa was registered and threatened to go on a strike.

The police said that the apprehended students will be presented in court while some have been charged under the foreign act.

The country has around 24,000 seminaries registered with the Wafaqul Madaris Al-Arabia and Tanzeemul Madaris, two umbrellas of seminaries in Pakistan.

There are, however, a large number of unregistered seminaries which attract illegal immigrants. According to a Federal Investigation Agency report, more than 90% of foreigners studying in seminaries across Punjab have expired visas.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2012.