Anti-Waqf Act protesters clash with cops in Silchar, Section 163 imposed

Silchar: Clashes erupted between anti-Waqf (Amendment) Act protesters and police on Sunday at Madhurband in Silchar after a section of demonstrators allegedly hurled stones at the cops.

People from the minority community, hailing from Berenga, Madhurband and Kanakpur, gathered at Badri bridge in the morning, before taking out a rally, which finished at an open field at Madhurband. While a police team, including the OC of Silchar Sadar police station, kept watch, the protesters demonstrated with placards against the recently-passed Act.

However, as the protesters reached Madhurband, several protesters sat on the road at Chamragudam locality, leading to altercation with the police. According to reports, some protesters hurled stones at the cops, prompting police to retaliate with batons.

The incident prompted district magistrate (Cachar) Mridul Yadav to issue prohibitory orders across the district, under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), in the evening.

While gathering of five or more individuals, without any prior permission, have been strictly prohibited, the order has also imposed a ban on rallies and demonstrations, unless officially authorized. Additionally, carrying of weapons, explosives or any other suspicious materials have been strictly prohibited to ensure public safety.

SP (Cachar) Numal Mahatta said, "With the model code of conduct in place for the upcoming panchayat polls, a protest march was conducted without any permission. While the rally was initially peaceful, a group of protesters breached police barricades and advanced towards Silchar town, with some miscreants even throwing stones at the cops, forcing us to respond with batons to restore order. Approximately 300 to 400 individuals had assembled to protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act."

Representing the demonstrators, Azad Hossain Majumder said the protest march was conducted in alignment with directives from the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB).