Violence In Manipur Over Waqf Bill: 7,000-Strong Mob Sets BJP Leader's House Ablaze; Prohibitory Orders Imposed In Thoubal

While Kukis and Meiteis have come to the table for discussions, another kind of violence erupted in Manipur on Sunday (6 April) night in the wake of the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Indian Express reported.

A mob set ablaze the home of the state BJP minority Morcha president, after which the district magistrate of Thoubal enforced a prohibitory order in the Lilong Assembly constituency, which is predominantly Muslim.

Authorities reported that a crowd, approximately 7,000 in number and armed with sticks and stones, violently invaded the residence of Md Asker Ali in Lilong Sambrukhong Mamei, subsequently setting it on fire.

The Thoubal district magistrate issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS 2023, considering the "likelihood of further disturbance which poses a risk to peace and public tranquility in the Lilong Assembly Constituency."

“I have perused the report submitted by the Superintendent of Police, Thoubal, and of the opinion that there is sufficient ground for proceeding under section 163 of BNSS, 2023, to prevent serious breach of peace, disturbance of public tranquility and imminent danger to human life and properties," the order said.

The violence happened after the BJP leader extended support to the Waqf Bill on social media and posted, "Do not do politics on Waqf Amendment Bill. Welcome Bill. We support WAB."

However, after the violence, Ali apologised for his social media post saying, “I sincerely apologise to the Muslims and Meitei Pangal community. I will not repeat such an act in the future. I oppose the Waqf Bill passed in Parliament, and it should be repealed immediately.”

Protests were arranged in areas with a majority Muslim population against the Act on Sunday afternoon.