Police Find Pornographic Content During Raid on Illegal Madrassa in Assam

What was allegedly projected as a place of learning turned out to be anything but, as police busted an illegal madrassa during a late-night raid at Lahorighat in Assam's Morigaon district on Wednesday.

The operation was carried out at Tengaguri (Juguni Beel), where the madrassa was reportedly being run secretly by two individuals, without the knowledge of local residents and without any legal authorisation.

Led by Co-district Superintendent of Police, Lahorighat, Dr. Diganta Baruah, the police team reached the premises late at night, triggering panic inside the so-called institution. Around 15 children and adolescents attempted to flee, but were safely rescued with the help of alert local residents.

During verification, the person identified as the teacher, Saiful Islam, failed to produce any registration certificate or legal documents, raising serious questions about the legitimacy of the madrassa. He was immediately detained by police.

What followed further deepened suspicion. Police sources confirmed that obscene videos were recovered from mobile phones belonging to the teacher as well as some of the minors. Preliminary investigation revealed that the children were from multiple districts, not from the local area.

All rescued minors have since been handed over to Childline for protection and rehabilitation.

Local residents did not mince words.

“This was an illegal madrassa with no connection to proper education. When police questioned him, the teacher claimed he was conducting online classes. But when the mobile phones were checked, pornographic content was found,” said one resident.
“Does a teacher teach education or pornography? That’s the question here,” he added.

Another resident said the activities inside the madrassa did not match recognised madrassa education standards.

“The teacher was not teaching general studies. His phone was full of obscene photos and videos. None of the children are local; they are all from outside,” the resident said.

A police officer present during the raid stated,

“There was no proper authority or structure. Teenage boys aged between 8 and 12 years, all from other districts, were allegedly being taught here. The madrassa was operating illegally. Childline was informed immediately. The person running it has been detained. Mobile phones were found filled with pornographic videos, and no proper religious or educational teaching was taking place.”

The incident has raised serious concerns over unregulated and illegal institutions operating under the guise of education, and residents have urged concerned authorities of the education department to intensify monitoring to ensure children are protected, not exploited.

Also Read: If Private Madrasas Are Legal, Why Was an Imam Assaulted in Assam's Lumding?