Govt closes Hathazari madrasa
The Education ministry yesterday ordered to shut down Al Jameyatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam Madrasa, commonly known as Hathazari madrasa, until further notice citing the madrasa authorities' disregard to some conditions on which it was permitted to resume academic activities in August.
The notice, signed by Sayed Asgar Ali, assistant secretary (madrasa-2) at the ministry, said, "The Qitab section of the madrasa was allowed to take exams and resume academic activities on several conditions on August 24."
The notice, however, did not make it clear whether the students have to leave the dormitories.
Asked, Badiul Alam Pavel, additional district magistrate in Chattogram, told The Daily Star that they did not receive any clear instruction in this regard and that they would discuss the issue with the madrasa authorities.
"We are talking to the madrasa authorities to shut their activities as per the order. If anyone tries to breach the order, steps will be taken legally," he said.
Meanwhile, thousands of students of the madrasa, which is also known as the base of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, in the last two days staged a demonstration inside the campus demanding termination of Anas Madani, son of Hefazat chief Ahmad Shafi.
Their demands also include reinstatement of Junayed Babu Nagri, who was removed from the post of the madrasa's assistant director in June, and removal of several inefficient teachers and members of the madrasa's Surah committee.
The agitating students allegedly carried out vandalism inside the campus yesterday, police sources said, adding that a large number of police and Rab personnel were deployed in the madrasa area to avoid any untoward incident.
The students locked the entrances of the campus from inside and no one, including police and administrative officials, was allowed to enter until the filing of this report last evening.
This correspondent tried several times to contact a number of senior members of Hefazat and madrasa board members, but all of their phones were found switched off.
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