Asem Bhakta
Special Correspondent North East
Imphal: (Waari Singbul Network) Tensions erupted in Manipur’s Thoubal district late Sunday night as an angry mob vandalized and set ablaze the residence of Md Asker Ali, the president of the BJP Minority Morcha in Manipur, over his public support for the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The violent incident, which took place around 9 PM in Lilong Sambru Makhong, a Muslim-majority area, has underscored the deep discontent among the state’s Muslim community following the bill’s passage in the Indian Parliament last week.
According to police reports, a crowd estimated at 7,000 to 8,000 individuals, armed with sticks, stones, and lathis, stormed Ali’s home, first ransacking the property before setting it on fire. Security forces rushed to the scene, firing several rounds into the air to disperse the mob and bring the situation under control. No casualties were reported, but the house suffered extensive damage. The attack came hours after widespread protests swept through the Imphal Valley, with over 5,000 people rallying against the bill in Lilong and clashing with security personnel in areas like Irong Chesaba.
The unrest was triggered by a social media post Ali made on Saturday, in which he expressed support for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, stating, “Do not do politics on Waqf Amendment Bill. Welcome Bill. We support WAB.” The bill, passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday and the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of Friday after heated debates, aims to reform the management of Waqf properties across India. It has been hailed by the BJP-led government as a step toward transparency and efficiency but has faced fierce opposition from Muslim organizations and political rivals, who argue it encroaches on minority rights and religious autonomy.
Facing a fierce backlash, Ali, a known loyalist of former Chief Minister N Biren Singh, issued a public apology on social media late Sunday night. In a video statement, he said, “My name is Mohmad Asker Ali from Lilong Sambrumakhong. I tender my sincere apology for sharing different videos on my Facebook account and making comments about my support for the passing of the Waqf Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. I tender my apology to all my Muslim brethren and Meitei Pangal community for hurting their sentiment. I’m further adding that now I don’t support the Bill and ask for its repeal immediately.” The retraction marked a sharp U-turn from his earlier stance, reflecting the intensity of the public outrage.
In response to the escalating violence, the Thoubal District Magistrate, A. Subhash Singh, imposed an indefinite curfew across the Lilong Assembly constituency on Monday under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. The order bans gatherings of five or more people and prohibits the carrying of firearms, swords, sticks, stones, or other lethal weapons. The magistrate cited a report from the Superintendent of Police, which highlighted the sensitive nature of the situation and the risk of further disturbances threatening public peace.
The violence in Lilong is part of a broader wave of protests across Manipur’s Muslim-dominated areas, including Kshatri Awang Leikai, Kairang Muslim, Kiyamgei Muslim, and Sora, where demonstrators have condemned the bill as an assault on constitutional values and Muslim religious rights. The Meitei Pangal community, which constitutes about 8.4% of Manipur’s population, has been particularly vocal in its opposition. Security has been bolstered across the Imphal Valley, with additional forces deployed to prevent further unrest.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, now an Act following President Droupadi Murmu’s assent on Saturday, seeks to streamline the administration of Waqf properties—assets donated by Muslims for religious or charitable purposes—by enhancing transparency and coordination with local authorities. However, critics, including opposition leaders and Muslim groups, argue that provisions such as the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf boards and the centralization of property registration undermine the community’s autonomy.
As Manipur grapples with this latest bout of unrest, the incident highlights the contentious fallout of the Waqf (Amendment) Act and its polarizing impact on India’s Muslim communities, particularly in sensitive regions like Manipur. Authorities remain on high alert, with senior officials closely monitoring the situation to restore calm in the volatile Lilong constituency.
