The district magistrate of Thoubal in Manipur has enforced a prohibitory order in the Lilong Assembly constituency, predominantly a Muslim-majority area, following a violent incident on Sunday night where a mob set fire to the home of the state BJP minority Morcha president.

According to the police, around 7,000 people, armed with sticks and stones, stormed the residence of Md Asker Ali in Lilong Sambrukhong Mamei and burned it down.

The District Magistrate of Thoubal stated in the prohibitory order, “The matter is very sensitive in and around Lilong Assembly Constituency, and there is the likelihood of further disturbance which poses a risk to peace and public tranquillity in the Lilong Assembly Constituency and has requested the undersigned to issue prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS, 2023 to the whole area of Lilong Assembly Constituency. Whereas, I have perused the report submitted by the Superintendent of Police, Thoubal, and am of the opinion that there is sufficient ground for proceeding under section 163 of BNSS, 2023, to prevent a serious breach of peace, disturbance of public tranquillity and imminent danger to human life and properties”.

The incident took place after the BJP leader shared a post on social media expressing support for the Waqf Bill. In the post, Ali wrote, “Do not do politics on Waqf Amendment Bill. Welcome Bill. We support WAB.”

On Sunday afternoon, protests were held in various Muslim-majority areas in opposition to the Act. At the same time, Ali issued an apology to the community for a post he had shared on social media. “I sincerely apologise to the Muslims and Meitei Pangal community. I will not repeat such an act in the future. I oppose the Waqf Bill passed in Parliament, and it should be repealed immediately.”