Unauthorized mosques sealed in Arunachal capital

GUWAHATI

Local authorities in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday (June 4, 2026) sealed unauthorized mosques across the capital region of Itanagar, more than three months after first issuing notices to the operators of these religious structures.

Capital Deputy Commissioner Toko Babu, in an official letter to the state’s Chief Secretary (Home), said that the problem of unauthorized operation of “Jama Masjids/mosques” in the capital region of Itanagar was addressed after the Arunachal Pradesh Tribal Youth Organization submitted a memorandum on January 13.

Itanagar Capital Region covers a 30 km stretch from Banderdeva, the main entry point on the Arunachal Pradesh-Assam border, to Itanagar, the state capital.

Mr. Babu said that the Deputy Commissioner of Itanagar had started verification of the legal status of the concerned religious institutions after receiving the memorandum. The office bearers and religious functionaries of these institutions were ordered to “create documents relating to registration, land ownership, building permits and other statutory permits necessary for the legal establishment and operation” of such structures.

He said the mosque authorities were directed on January 30 to submit supporting documents within the stipulated time. Mosque officials did not provide such documents.

Another notice was served to these officials on May 28 asking them to obtain registrations, building permits, building permits and other statutory permits. They were also ordered to stop all ongoing construction and suspend religious activities on the premises until they comply with the instructions.

“The institutions concerned did not comply with the notices. Subsequently, the unauthorized mosques were sealed within the time frame specified in the notices in the presence of police personnel in accordance with law,” Deputy Commissioner Tamo Dada said.

Officials did not specify how many mosques and related religious structures were sealed.

Published – 04 Jun 2026 23:10 IST