TIMERGARA, Jan 17: A local legislator belonging to the Jamaat-i-Islami on Saturday blamed the police and the local district administration of fuelling the seminary controversy , saying they were responsible for disturbing the district's peace.

Lower Dir's JI Amir Maulana Ghafoor Ahmed Ghawas said this while talking to reporters at Kumbar in Maidan.

He also blamed the local administration and the police for creating differences between the leadership of the defunct Tehrik Nefaz-i-Shariat-i-Muhammadi over the ownership of the madressah, creating problems for the NWFP's ruling alliance.

Accusing activists of the banned outfit of openly flouting the law, he said they held protest demonstrations and public meetings to create a law and order situation in the district.

The local JI leader said that the police and administration did not even stop these people, against whom FIRs were lodged in different cases.

He said Tehrik Nifaz-i-Shariat Mohammidi workers regrouped under the very nose of the police.

Other leaders, contacted by this correspondent, termed the seminary's closure illegal under Section 145, adding that under the law, no ban could be imposed on a place of worship or a graveyard.

MPA Saeed Gul urged the provincial government to resolve the controversy amicably as it could lead to a law and order situation.