7 Arrested for Attacking Police in Anti-Waqf Act Protest in Assam
The recent protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Assam’s Cachar district have taken a violent turn, with seven individuals arrested for allegedly attacking police personnel who were on duty to maintain law and order. The arrests were made in connection with the protests that took place in the district, which saw a significant turnout of people demanding the withdrawal of the act.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Nazmul Islam Laskar, Bidar Laskar (32), Rohit Hussain Laskar (19), Dilwar Hussain (30), Rohit Ahmed Mazumder (19), Atikur Rahman Laskar (25), and Riyajul Laskar (24). The police claimed that the arrested individuals were part of the group that vandalized public property and attacked the police personnel who were deployed to maintain order during the protests.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, which was passed by the Assam government in March 2022, aims to reform the Waqf Act of 1954 and bring in more transparency and accountability in the management of Waqf properties. However, the move has been met with opposition from various quarters, including religious organizations and civil society groups, who have claimed that the act is an attempt to undermine the rights of Muslims in the state.
The protests against the act began in the state in March 2022, with activists and religious leaders demanding the withdrawal of the act. The protests have been peaceful, with participants holding rallies and meetings to express their opposition to the act. However, the situation took a violent turn in recent days, with clashes between protesters and police personnel reported in several parts of the state.
The arrests made by the police in Cachar district are a significant development in the ongoing protests against the Waqf Act. The police claimed that the arrested individuals were involved in vandalizing public property and attacking police personnel, and that they would be prosecuted under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
The opposition to the Waqf Act has been led by various organizations, including the All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) and the Assam Minority Muslim Federation (AMMF). These organizations have claimed that the act is an attempt to undermine the religious rights of Muslims in the state and have demanded its withdrawal.
The protests against the act have also received support from various political parties, including the Indian National Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist). These parties have claimed that the act is an attempt to polarize the state along religious lines and have demanded its withdrawal.
The situation in Assam is closely watched by observers, who are concerned about the potential for further violence and unrest in the state. The passage of the Waqf Act has set off a controversy in the state, with religious organizations and civil society groups demanding its withdrawal. The arrests made by the police in Cachar district are a significant development in the ongoing protests against the act, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days.
