Manipur BJP leader apologises after 7,000-strong mob torches his house in Lilong

An indefinite curfew was imposed on areas falling under Lilong Assembly constituency of Manipur's Thoubal district on Monday over unrest over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. 

 

Lilong, a Muslim-majority constituency in the Meitei-dominated Thoubal district, witnessed mob violence and arson targeting a local BJP leader's residence. The house of Manipur state Minority Morcha president was attacked and torched by a mob that was at least 7,000 strong, The Hindu said in a report. It was on Sunday night that the armed mob targeted BJP leader Mohammed Asker Ali's house in Lilong's Sambrukhonh Mamel area over his reactions to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. 

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According to reports, a session of the Manipuri Muslim community, also known as Pangals, were infuriated by Mohammed Asker Ali's social media activities in support of the Bill. Attacking the BJP leader's house with sticks and stones, the crowd later set it on fire, the news report said. Following the incident, Ali posted a video on social media, apologising for his earlier statement, said news agency PTI.

 

In a statement, the BJP condemned the incident and assured that "such unfortunate incidents shall not happen in the future."

 

According to district officials, the situation remains tense, forcing them to impose an indefinite curfew to avoid further violence. 

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Meanwhile, Manipur legislator Sheikh Noorul Hassan on Monday said he will challenge the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, in the Supreme Court.

 

In a video message, Hassan, a National People's Party MLA, said, "The Waqf Amendment Act 2025 violates the rights of Muslims. I personally condemn and reject this Act. I will challenge it in the Supreme Court."

India