Protests against Waqf Act turned violent in Tripura’s Unakoti district on Saturday and resulted in injuries to at least 18 police personnel, including Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Jayanta Karmakar.
The rally, demanding the rollback of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, was organized under the banner of the ‘Joint Movement Committee’ and led by Congress’ Unakoti district president Md Badruzzaman, saw around 4,000 participants.
Kailashahar police station officer-in-charge Sukanta Sen Chowdhury said, “A scuffle took place between the protesters and the security personnel. Soon, the situation turned violent as the agitators pelted the law enforcers with stones and bottles.”
In response, police resorted to a lathi-charge and deployed tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
“We have lodged an FIR over the attack on police personnel. So far, eight people have been arrested in connection with the case. Further investigation is underway,” the officer said.
At a press conference, Badruzzaman claimed that the rally was intended to be peaceful, “but a group with vested interests turned our peaceful rally violent to malign us. We will continue our movement on the demand for rollback of the Waqf (Amendment) Act.”
The Waqf (amendment) act, 2025, which came into effect on April 8, has sparked protests across various states.
