Police personnel stop protersters during a demonstration against Waqf Act, in Silchar, Sunday
Credit: PTI Photo
Guwahati: The protests against the Waqf Amendment Act turned violent at Silchar town in south Assam's Cachar district on Sunday during which stones were pelted, forcing the security forces to use batons in order to control the situation.
Cachar SP Nomal Mahatta told reporters that the security forces used "minimal forces" to control the situation after some protesters pelted stones at them.
"The situation was brought under control soon. But cases have been registered against some protesters who tried to take law in their hands," he said. Mahatta said there was no injury in the stone pelting.
This came a day after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said Assam did not witness any protest against the Waqf Amendment Act, despite the state having nearly 40 per cent Muslim population. On Sunday, Sarma condemned the protests in Silchar and issued an warning against anyone taking law in their hands.
Prohibitory order:
Following the incident, Cachar district commissionr Mridul Yadav clamped an order prohibiting gathering of more than four persons and similar agitations in the district as part of efforts to prevent violence.
"With immediate effect, any assembly of five or more individuals without prior permission has been strictly prohibited. The order also imposes a ban on organizing agitation programmes such as bandhs, rallies, strikes, dharnas, and demonstrations unless officially authorized," said the order issued by Yadav.
Cachar district has a sizeable Muslim population.
On Saturday, several police personnel were injured after the protesters resorted to violent protest in neighbouring Tripura. The situation in the BJP-ruled state, however, remained calm on Sunday, officials said.