Thousands of people poured into the streets across various parts of Manipur valley on Sunday to protest the recently passed Waqf Amendment Bill. The mass mobilization was organized by the All Manipur Meitei Pangal Clubs’ Organisation (AMMPCO) and saw widespread participation from the Meitei Pangal community (Manipuri Muslims).
Protesters assembled at local Idgahs and later marched through towns and villages in a show of unity and resistance. Demonstrators held up postcards and placards, chanting slogans against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and expressing anger towards political leaders such as Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu for their perceived roles in supporting the bill.
Rallies were reported in several locations, including Sora, Mayang Imphal, Kshetri Awang Leikai, and Lilong in Thoubal district. The most significant turnout was seen in Lilong, where hundreds of men marched from Lilong Bazar to Lilong Haoreibi College.
Security personnel were deployed in sensitive areas to maintain peace and ensure the protest remained non-violent. No untoward incidents were reported at the time of filing this report.
AMMPCO has demanded the immediate rollback of the Waqf Amendment Bill, stating that the changes undermine the rights and autonomy of minority communities. Leaders from the organization stated that if the bill is not withdrawn, larger agitations will follow in the coming days.
