Chennai, March 27: The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution urging the Union government to withdraw the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, citing concerns that it undermines the interests of Muslims in the country.

While all major political parties, including the AIADMK, supported the resolution, the BJP staged a walk-out ahead of the vote.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who moved the resolution, said the Indian Constitution guarantees all religious groups the right to practice and preserve their faith, and it is the duty of a democratically-elected government to uphold these rights.

He expressed strong opposition to the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, 1954, stating that they would severely impact Muslim minorities.

CM Stalin further noted that DMK representatives A. Raja and M.M. Abdullah, who are members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), were not allowed to voice their opinions on the proposed changes during committee discussions.

In a display of democratic courtesy, CM Stalin also requested Speaker M. Appavu to allow BJP leader Vanathi Srinivasan to express her views on the matter.

He added that the DMK has consistently upheld democratic values by allowing Opposition voices to be heard in the Assembly.

Speaking in defence of the Bill, Vanathi Srinivasan said the Centre had decided to amend the Waqf Act following numerous complaints regarding irregularities in the management of Waqf properties across various states.

She maintained that the Bill aims to protect the interests of the “backward sections” of the Muslim community and to ensure better representation for women.

However, Tamil Nadu Law Minister, S. Regupathy, countered her claims, stating that the views of certain JPC members were ignored during discussions.

He further described the Waqf Amendment Bill as an “economic assault” on the Muslim community.

PMK leader G.K. Mani said the Bill should only proceed if the Union government is able to build a consensus among all stakeholders.

AIADMK member S.P. Velumani also voiced support for the resolution, adding to the united front against the Bill.

The Assembly concluded by reiterating its demand that the Union government fully withdraw the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

Imphal, March 27: The Manipur Police have arrested six militants of different outfits and seized a cache of arms and ammunition, officials said here on Thursday.

The police also seized drugs worth Rs 3.15 crore and arrested three smugglers, the officials said.

A police official said that two cadres of the proscribed outfit People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were arrested from Imphal West district on Wednesday night.

Two more militants of People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) (Pro) outfit and an active member of Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) were arrested from Imphal East district.

The police also arrested a militant of the Koireng-led United National Liberation Front (UNLF-K) from Tengnoupal district.

The arrested militants were involved in abduction, forcible collection of money from traders, officials, contractors, and issuing threat notices to people.

Several two-wheelers, mobile sets, sharp-edged weapons, incriminating documents and various other materials were recovered from the militants.

Manipur Police arrested three drug peddlers from Imphal East district and recovered 10.5 kg of heroin valued at Rs 3.15 crore from their possession.

The drugs, suspected to be smuggled from Myanmar, were contained in 880 soap cases.

A car in which the smugglers were travelling was also seized.

Manipur has around 400 km of unfenced border with Myanmar.

The police also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including AK series rifles and Self-Loading Rifles, from Imphal East and Kakching districts.

On Wednesday, five militants were arrested and a cache of arms and ammunition was seized in Manipur.

The militants of the banned United National Liberation Front (Koireng faction) were identified as Thongam Ronaldo Singh (26) and Khuraijam Micheal Singh (28).

Manipur Police arrested three drug peddlers who were involved in the transportation of drugs along National Highway-02 (Imphal to Senapati district) in Imphal West district on Tuesday night.

Police recovered 5.5 kg of heroin valued at Rs two crore from their possession.

New Delhi, March 27: A Sambhal court will hear the bail plea in the mosque protest case on Thursday after the president of the Shahi Jama Masjid Management Committee, Zafar Ali, was arrested on Sunday on charges of “inciting violence.”

Zafar Ali’s arrest took place months after the unrest in Sambhal over a court-sponsored survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid.

Ali was arrested in connection with a criminal conspiracy for November 24 violence in the city, which left four people dead and several injured.

The police have accused Ali of inciting rioters and fabricating evidence to cause wrongful conviction, among other charges.

Following Ali’s arrest, heavy security was deployed around Shahi Jama Masjid, with Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel stationed in the area.

The administration is monitoring the city using CCTV and drone surveillance to maintain law and order.

Ali was arrested under multiple penal provisions, including rioting, obstructing public servants, endangering public safety, and causing property damage.

His arrest is linked to one of the 12 FIRs registered against 159 individuals following the Sambhal riots.

According to police sources, Ali played a key role in planning the violence, which erupted after he was informed about a proposed survey of the historical mosque by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). His role in inciting locals to oppose the survey, which was abruptly halted on November 19, 2024, is also under investigation.

In the aftermath of the riots, several families fled the area, and around 300 properties remain locked.

The police suspect that panic selling of properties occurred due to rumours of demolition, and individuals with criminal backgrounds took advantage of the situation to seize properties.