Unidentified miscreants set fire to the house of BJP’s Manipur Minority Morcha president Askar Ali Makakmayum in Thoubal district’s Lilong area late Sunday night, following his remarks in support of the Waqf Act.
According to sources, a mob vandalised and torched the house around 9 pm in the Muslim-majority locality, a day after Makakmayum posted a message on social media praising the BJP and supporting the Waqf Act.
Later, Makakmayum had issued a video apology on social media, distancing himself from his earlier remarks and stating he no longer endorses the Act.
The incident took place hours after large-scale protests broke out in Imphal against the Waqf Act, with many taking to the streets to express their opposition.
Earlier in the day, protests were held in different parts of Imphal Valley against the Act.
Over 5,000 people participated in a rally that disrupted the traffic on NH 102 at Lilong.
In some places, the protesters got engaged in a scuffle with the security forces, officials said.
One such incident happened at Irong Chesaba in Thoubal in the morning.
The scuffle broke out after the demonstrators were stopped by the security forces from moving forward.
The demonstrators raised slogans against the BJP-led government at the Centre, decrying the Act.
Protests were also held in Kshatri Awang Leikai, Kairang Muslim and Kiyamgei Muslim areas in Imphal East, and Sora in Thoubal district, among other places.
Security has been strengthened in Muslim-dominated areas of the Valley, with additional forces deployed, officials said.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday, and by the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of Friday after marathon debates in both Houses of Parliament.
The Act aims to streamline the management of Waqf properties (assets permanently donated by Muslims for religious or charitable purposes) with provisions to safeguard heritage sites and promote social welfare.
It also seeks to improve governance by enhancing transparency in property management, streamlining coordination between Waqf boards and local authorities and protecting stakeholders' rights.
President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the bill on Saturday.
(With additional inputs from PTI)