Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR : The Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) administration has sealed a number of unauthorised Jama Masjids and mosques operating within the capital region after they allegedly failed to comply with statutory and regulatory requirements despite repeated notices and opportunities provided by the authorities.
The development was disclosed by Arunachal Pradesh Government spokesperson and Education Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona while briefing reporters at the Civil Secretariat here on Thursday.
According to an official report submitted to the Principal Secretary (Home), the action followed a memorandum submitted by the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation (APIYO), which alleged that several Jama Masjids and mosques were functioning without obtaining the requisite permissions and statutory approvals from the competent authorities.
Following the complaint, the Itanagar Assistant Commissioner initiated a verification exercise and directed the management committees of the institutions concerned to furnish documents relating to registration, land ownership, building permissions, development approvals and other statutory clearances required for lawful establishment and operation.
Sona said the administration had issued an order on January 30 directing the institutions to submit the required documents within the stipulated period. However, despite being given adequate opportunities, they reportedly failed to furnish satisfactory records establishing compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Upon completion of the verification process, the administration found that the institutions had not produced valid documentation to meet the prescribed legal requirements. Consequently, a notice issued on May 28 directed the institutions to obtain registration from the competent authorities, secure necessary building and development permissions, and suspend all construction and religious activities until compliance was achieved.
The notice also warned that failure to comply within the prescribed period would result in sealing of the establishments without further notice.
After the deadline expired, the administration found that the directions had not been complied with. Accordingly, the Itanagar Assistant Commissioner carried out the sealing of the identified establishments on Thursday in the presence of police personnel and in accordance with due legal procedure, Sona said.
He added that the operation was conducted peacefully without any law-and-order issues, with adequate security arrangements put in place to ensure smooth execution of the exercise.
Referring to APIYO’s proposed 24-hour capital bandh, Sona said the organisation’s demands had already been addressed by the administration before the expiry of its ultimatum. He therefore urged the organisation to withdraw the proposed shutdown in the larger interest of maintaining peace and normalcy in the capital region.
APIYO had earlier served a seven-day ultimatum on the state government seeking action against several Jama Masjids and mosques allegedly operating in the ICR without the required permissions, registrations and statutory approvals.
