A madrasa panel in India’s Uttarakhand has banned students and teachers from using smart phones, internet and social media days after authorities took into custody four young men from Haridwar district for their alleged links to Islamic State (IS), reports Hindustan Times.

Officials and clerics from the seminary management committee in Roorkee city said the step was a preventive measure to stop youngsters from being drawn towards radicalism and terror groups.

A written order forbidding the use of the internet as well as Facebook, WhatsApp and other social media sites has been circulated in all the madrasas of the state, they said.

‘Similar advisories have also been sent to community members and responsible clerics in other states,’ informed Maulana Nawab, a local religious leader. ‘It has to be strictly implemented in all madrasas of the state. Violators will be expelled from their institutions.’

Committee officials said more than 15 seminaries in Roorkee’s Landhaur suburb where police arrested the four youngsters last week have implemented the order with immediate effect.

The state madrasa board has remained silent on the issue.