Curfew in Manipur’s Lilong following arson over Waqf Act-OxBig News Network

The authorities in Manipur’s Thoubal district imposed an indefinite curfew in areas under the Lilong Assembly constituency on Monday, April 7, 2025, a day after an incident of arson over the Waqf Amendment Act.
| Photo Credit: VIJAITA SINGH

GUWAHATI

The authorities in Manipur’s Thoubal district imposed an indefinite curfew in areas under the Lilong Assembly constituency on Monday, a day after an incident of arson over the Waqf Amendment Act.

Thoubal is in the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley and Pangals, or Manipuri Muslims, are a majority in Lilong.

A. Subhash Singh, Thoubal’s District Magistrate, said the curfew was promulgated indefinitely under Section 63 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in the entire constituency following a report from the district’s Superintendent of Police.

The report said a mob of more than 7,000 people, armed with sticks and stones, stormed into the house of Mohammed Asker Ali of the Lilong Sambrukhong Mamel area, before setting it ablaze on Sunday night. Mr. Ali is the president of the Manipur unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Minority Morcha.

He had expressed his support for the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025 on social media, triggering outrage among many in Lilong.

“The situation is sensitive in and around the Lilong constituency, and the likelihood of further disturbance could pose a risk to peace and public tranquillity in the area,” a district official said.

Various parts of the Imphal Valley witnessed protests against Waqf Amendment Act on Sunday. Hundreds of people organised a rally and disrupted traffic on some roads. The agitators clashed with security forces in some areas.

The Manipur government deployed additional forces in all Muslim-dominated areas, with senior officials closely monitoring the situation.