Synopsis
On April 12, at least seven police officers were injured during a protest rally against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Tripura's Kailashahar. The event escalated into violence, leading to arrests and demands from local organizations for clarity from Muslim representatives on the Act.Key Takeaways
- Seven police officers injured during protest in Tripura.
- Protesters demand repeal of Waqf (Amendment) Act.
- Violence resulted in vandalism of shops and public property.
- Eight protesters arrested for throwing stones at police.
- Local organizations call for statements from Muslim MLAs.
Agartala/Imphal, April 12 (NationPress) At least seven policemen were injured on Saturday during a confrontation between law enforcement and protesters who organized a rally against the newly enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act in Kailashahar, located in the Unakoti district of northern Tripura.
In Manipur, two significant organizations -- Minorities Students’ Association Manipur (MSAM) and the All Manipur Muslim Students’ Organisation (AMMSO) -- are calling on Muslim MLAs and other representatives of areas with large Muslim populations to publicly state their positions on the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.
A police official indicated that the police and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) were compelled to use batons and tear gas to disperse the crowd, which turned violent and began throwing stones and bricks at law enforcement.
The official noted that prior to the protest, senior police officials had urged the leaders of the demonstrators to avoid entering mixed-population and non-Muslim-dominated areas, establishing barricades between two police stations – Irani and Kailashahar.
As the protesters breached the security barricade to enter Kailashahar district town, police responded with baton charges and tear gas.
“Numerous violent protesters engaged in physical altercations with police personnel,” he stated.
The official reported that the protesters, numbering around four thousand, also vandalized several shops, houses, and public property while shouting slogans against both the central and state BJP governments.
Moreover, the demonstrators demanded the repeal of the Waqf (Amendment) Act and called for the Muslim community to manage Waqf properties without interference.
In total, eight protesters were arrested for their violent actions, and a suo-moto case has been registered.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Rati Ranjan Debnath, along with other senior officials, led the police response to the protests.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high in Manipur as MSAM and AMMSO issued a joint statement demanding that Muslim MLAs and others in constituencies with substantial Muslim populations publicly declare their stances on the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.
This statement follows widespread protests from the Meitei Pangal (Muslim) community, who perceive the Act as a threat to their religious and property rights.
It specifically called out three Muslim MLAs -- Abdul Nasir (Janata Dal (United) Lilong assembly constituency), Sheikh Noorul Hassan (National People’s Party Kshetrigao assembly constituency), and Muhammud Ashabudin (BJP, Jiribam AC).
On April 7, a curfew was imposed indefinitely in the entire Lilong Assembly constituency in Thoubal district of Manipur, following an incident where a mob set fire to the residence of Muhammad Asker Ali, the BJP minority morcha’s state President, for supporting the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
On April 5, President Droupadi Murmu sanctioned the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, as indicated in a notification from the Law Ministry.
The Bill had been passed by Parliament after extensive debates in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
This legislation aims to enhance governance by improving transparency in property management, streamlining coordination between Waqf boards and local authorities, and safeguarding stakeholders’ rights.
