Waqf law: Manipur BJP leader takes a U-turn; says he opposes the law

Imphal: In Manipur, the house of the BJP Minority Morcha's Manipur president, Asker Ali, was set on fire by a mob for allegedly supporting the Waqf Amendment Act, officials said. They said that the incident happened at Lilong in Thoubal district on Sunday night, PTI reported.

Ali had expressed his support for the Act on social media on Saturday. An irate mob was gathered outside his residence around 9 pm, vandalised it and later set it on fire, officials informed.

Ali later retracted from his earlier stand and posted a video on social media, apologising for his previous statement. He also expressed opposition to the Act.

Earlier in the day, protests were held in different parts of Imphal Valley against the Act.

Over 5,000 people participated in a rally that disrupted the traffic on NH-102 at Lilong.

Protesters scuffled with security forces in some areas, officials said.

One such incident happened at Irong Chesaba in Thoubal. The scuffle broke out after the demonstrators were stopped by the security forces from moving forward.

The demonstrators raised slogans against the BJP-led government at the Centre, decrying the Act.

"The Waqf Amendment Act is against the ethos of the Constitution. It is completely unacceptable for the Muslim community," said Sakir Ahmed, a protester.

Protests were also held in Kshatri Awang Leikai, Kairang Muslim and Kiyamgei Muslim areas in Imphal East, and Sora in Thoubal district, among other places.

Security has been strengthened in Muslim-dominated areas of the valley, with additional forces deployed, officials said.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday and by the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of Friday after marathon debates in both Houses of Parliament. It was given the President's assent and thus became law on Saturday.