Imphal: A stringent prohibitory order has been issued by the Thoubal district administration in Manipur, specifically within the Lilong assembly constituency. Imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS), the order aims to curb potential unrest following a violent incident. This action was taken on April 7th, directly responding to a volatile situation that unfolded the previous day.
The catalyst for this measure was the arson attack on the residence of Md Asker Ali, the Manipur president of the BJP Minority Morcha. An irate mob, reportedly numbering between 7,000 and 8,000 individuals, stormed Ali’s house in the Lilong Sambrukhong Mamei area, setting it ablaze. The mob, armed with lathis and stones, took this drastic action allegedly due to Ali’s public support for the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025.
In response to the escalating tension, the district magistrate promulgated an order prohibiting the assembly of five or more people within the Lilong constituency. The order also explicitly bans the carrying of firearms, swords, sticks, stones, or any other lethal weapons by the public. This decision was based on a report submitted by the superintendent of police, detailing the scale and intensity of the mob attack.
The incident was triggered by Ali’s social media endorsement of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025. Faced with immediate and intense backlash from his community, Ali quickly retracted his support. He issued a subsequent video apology on Facebook, expressing remorse for his initial stance and condemning the Act. Ali, a prominent Meitei-Pangal (Manipuri Muslim) leader from the Lilong constituency, had initially voiced his support for the bill, only to reverse his position under significant community pressure.
In his retraction, Ali, speaking in Manipuri, stated, “My name is Asker Ali from Lilong Haoreibi Sambrukhong. I had posted videos and shared my comments on social media on Waqf Amendment Bill which was recently passed in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. I feel so sorry for what I have said. Next time I will not do it. I am clarifying that I don’t support Waqf Amendment Bill and it should be repealed.” This swift reversal highlights the strong opposition within his community to the Act.
As of now, authorities have not identified the individuals responsible for the arson. Furthermore, the Manipur BJP has not released any official statement regarding the incident. The prohibitory orders remain in effect, as officials work to maintain peace and investigate the violent outbreak.
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