Miya Museum Controversy: According to officials, the Assam Police detained two people on Monday (October 24) in connection with a private Miya Museum dedicated to the Miya Muslim community on allegations of wrongful use of the premises.
Mohar Ali, a Goalpara resident, and Abdul Baten, a Dhubri resident, have been identified as the detainees.
They have also been charged in a case under sections 120 (B), 121, 121 (A), and 122 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as well as sections 10 and 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, according to the police (UAPA).
GP Singh, the special director general of Assam Police, stated on Twitter that the two leaders will be questioned about their involvement with terrorist organisations Ansarullah Bangla Team and Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent.
“Sri Mohar Ali of Goalpara & Sri Abdul Baten of Dhubri have been detained in connection with Ghograpar PS Case no.163/22, U/S- 120(B)/121/121(A)/122 IPC , R/W-Sec -10/13 UA(P) Act. Further investigation and interrogation would be carried out about their association with AQIS/ABT,” tweeted GP Singh.
Sri Mohar Ali of Goalpara & Sri Abdul Baten of Dhubri have been detained in connection with Ghograpar PS Case no.163/22, U/S- 120(B)/121/121(A)/122 IPC , R/W-Sec -10/13 UA(P) Act. Further investigation and interrogation would be carried out about their association with AQIS/ABT.
— GP Singh (@gpsinghips) October 25, 2022
The ‘Miya Museum,’ which was established in a house allotted under the Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY) in Assam’s Goalpara district, was sealed and its owner was arrested on Tuesday (October 25), according to a district official.
On Sunday, the museum was opened to the public (October 23).
Mohar Ali, the president of the Miya Assam Miya Parishad, established the museum on the grounds of the house allotted to him through the Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana.
A team of government officers sealed the museum in Dapkabhita, under the jurisdiction of the Lakhiur police station, and posted a notice stating that it was done on the deputy commissioner’s orders.
The Museum’s opening in a house allotted under the Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana sparked outrage, with senior BJP leaders demanding its immediate closure.
Miya Parishat recently inaugurated a private Miya Museum in Assam’s Goalpara district’s Dapkarbhita Lakhipur area.
Abdur Rahim Gibran, a BJP Minority Morcha member, had filed a complaint against the museum’s establishment in the house.
Some agricultural implements and fishing equipment, hand towels, and checked ‘lungis’ (men’s sarongs) are on display, as Ali claims that these are the ‘Miya’ community’s identity.
The term ‘Miya’ in Assam refers to Bengali-speaking migrants whose origins can be traced back to Bangladesh.
