Sun Apr 13 10:41:21 UTC 2025: ## Assam Witnesses Violence During Protest Against Waqf Amendment Act
**Silchar, Assam:** Protests against the recently passed Waqf Amendment Act turned violent in Silchar, Assam today, following similar unrest in West Bengal. A peaceful demonstration in Cachar district escalated when a group of protesters pelted stones at police. Authorities responded with a lathi charge, dispersing the crowd and restoring order in the affected areas, including Chamragudam, Berenga, and old Lakhipur road.
Approximately 300-400 people participated in the initial rally, expressing their opposition to the Act, which they claim is anti-Islamic. While some protesters condemned the violence, Cachar police chief Numal Mahatta stated that a smaller group of troublemakers infiltrated the peaceful demonstration and instigated the stone-throwing. He assured that those responsible would face legal consequences.
This incident contradicts a statement made yesterday by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Sarma, who lauded the state’s peaceful handling of protests related to the Waqf Act and praised the Assam Police for their proactive measures. Sarma had mentioned intelligence reports predicting potential large-scale protests following Friday prayers, claiming that preventative measures had been taken.
The Waqf Amendment Act, aimed at improving the management and transparency of Waqf properties according to the ruling BJP, has sparked widespread protests across the country. The opposition and Muslim organizations criticize the Act, alleging that it targets the Muslim community and seeks to seize Waqf properties. Elsewhere, protests against the act have resulted in fatalities in West Bengal and injuries to police officers in Tripura. The ongoing unrest highlights the deep divisions surrounding this controversial legislation.
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