Anger against Waqf Amendment Act adds to tension in already conflict-hit Manipur

Guwahati: The Waqf (Amendment) Act may add fuel to the tension in conflict-hit Manipur with an apex body of Meitei Muslims, locally called Pangals, launching an agitation against the amendment.

Although the Pangals have by and large remained free from the Meitei-Kuki conflict since May 2023, the Muslim-dominated areas in Valley witnessed violent protests after the Waqf (Amendment) Act was passed by the Parliament. House of a Muslim leader of ruling BJP was torched at Lilong, a Muslim dominated Assembly constituency, in Thoubal district on Sunday night, prompting the administration to clamp prohibitory orders fearing further tension.

On Tuesday, the security forces enhanced security arrangements in the house of Abdul Nasir, a JD (U) MLA, who also heads the Waqf Board of Manipur. Anger against Nasir was growing with Muslim voters demanding him to publicly oppose the act. The state has three Muslim MLAs.

Pangals constitute about eight percent of Manipur's population and is the fourth largest community.

Opposing the amendment, United Meitei Pangal Committee (UMPC), Manipur, an apex body of Meitei Pangal civil society organisations, asked all the organisations representing the Muslims in the state to stage protest rallies in their areas. "Let the voices of the people echo from every corner of the state - loud, clear, and united against this unjust law," UMPC general secretary, Raees Ahamed Tampak said in a statement.

The committee said the amendment gives overreaching control to state authorities, effectively curbing the management rights of local Muslim communities and Waqf Boards. This undermines centuries of religious practice and communal governance, it said, adding that the amendment was made without proper discussions with the Muslims.

"We will continue to raise our voice peacefully, lawfully, but unwaveringly, until the dignity, autonomy, and spiritual integrity of our waqf institutions are fully restored and respected," Tampak said.

Manipur has been under the President's Rule since February 13 due to the Meitei-Kuki conflict that resulted in over 260 deaths and displacements of over 60,000 others