Imams and madrasa teachers planning to work in Assam will have to register themselves on a portal being developed by the state government.

The decision to keep track of imams and religious teachers from outside the state has been prompted by the arrests of at least 32 people since March with alleged links to terror outfits such as the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) and al Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). Two imams were arrested on Saturday from Goalpara district with suspected links to AQIS.

Assam chief minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday that residents of the state would have to inform police if they wanted to hire any imams or madrasa teachers.

“They can be hired once the police verification of their antecedents is complete. We are also developing a portal where imams and others will have to register their details. This way, it becomes easier for all of us to keep track or hire them. The Muslim population is extending its support to the move,” Sarma said.

Imams and madrasa teachers who are permanent residents of Assam will not have to register themselves on the proposed portal. Assam has a Muslim population of around 34 per cent.