Imphal: Communal tensions spiked in Manipur’s Thoubal district late night on April 6, after the residence of BJP Minority Morcha state president Asker Ali was set on fire by an angry mob in Lilong. The violence erupted hours after Ali publicly expressed support for the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which was recently passed in Parliament and signed into law by President Droupadi Murmu.
According to local officials, a large Muslim crowd gathered outside Ali’s home around 9 PM, vandalised the premises, and eventually set the structure ablaze. The incident followed a day of protests and mounting public anger across the Imphal Valley, particularly in Muslim-majority regions.
Ali had on April 6 shared a social media post welcoming the Waqf Bill, claiming it would “strengthen Waqf institutions through transparency and accountability.” The post triggered swift condemnation from various local Muslim organisations and civil society groups, who accused him of “siding with an anti-community law.”
In an apparent damage-control move, Ali released a video statement on Sunday evening, publicly retracting his support and offering an apology to the community. However, the move failed to contain public outrage, which erupted into violence just hours later.
Mass Protests Disrupt Valley
Earlier on April 7, over 5,000 people marched in Lilong, effectively shutting down National Highway 102—a key lifeline for the region. Protesters shouted slogans against the BJP and the central government, accusing them of “tampering with religious institutions” and “bulldozing community rights.”\
“The Waqf Amendment Bill is against the ethos of the Constitution. It is completely unacceptable for the Muslim community,” said Sakir Ahmed, one of the protestors who joined the rally.
Clashes were reported from Irong Chesaba, where demonstrators attempted to break police barricades. Security personnel used minimal force to disperse the crowd and restore order, according to district police officials.
Protests also flared up in Kshatri Awang Leikai, Kairang Muslim, Kiyamgei Muslim, and Sora, indicating a wider regional rejection of the legislation.
Security Stepped Up
In response to the unrest, the state government has deployed additional paramilitary forces in sensitive pockets, particularly in Lilong and surrounding areas. Night curfews have been imposed, and mobile internet services are reportedly under review to curb the spread of provocative content.
Senior police officials are in touch with community elders to defuse tensions and prevent escalation. “We are closely monitoring the situation. The perpetrators involved in the arson will be identified and booked under appropriate sections of the law,” a top police officer told reporters.
