"Immense satisfaction": Assam CM Sarma lauds police, minority leaders for peaceful situation amid anti-Waqf Act protest across country

Guwahati (Assam) [India], April 12 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday lauded the efforts of the Assam Police and leaders from the minority community for ensuring peace across the state amid intelligence inputs warning of possible unrest over the protest on the Waqf Amendment Act.
Speaking to the media, CM Sarma emphasized that despite apprehensions of protests on Friday, the situation remained largely calm, with only minor demonstrations reported at three locations.
"Yesterday was Friday, and we had strong intelligence that, Assam is going to witness some kind of disturbance as a result of protest by the minority community. We received that input five days ago. Assam Police has worked with and approached every single leader of the minority community. Our SPs got in touch with various Masjid communities and various important persons from the minority community," the Assam Chief Minister said.
Chief Minister Sarma said that peaceful situation in the state is an outcome of the extensive outreach carried out by the Assam Police.
"Assam Police extensively worked for the last five days. Yesterday was a day of immense satisfaction that Assam did not witness any kind of protest. We only witnessed protests in three places, with 150 people at each venue. This is a result of extensive outreach by the Assam Police," CM Sarma said.
CM Sarma further affirmed that maintaining law and order is the primary responsibility of the state.
"I would like to offer my gratitude to the people from the minority community. Maintaining law and order is the primary responsibility of the state. In coming days also, we will maintain the law and order situation in Assam," he said.
Several cities, including Delhi, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, witnessed protests against the Waqf Amendment Act.
Violence erupted in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Tuesday during protests against the Waqf Amendment Act, with clashes between demonstrators and police resulting in stone-pelting and torched police vehicles.
However, West Bengal Police announced on Saturday that the situation in the Suti and Samserganj areas of Jangipur, Murshidabad district, is now under control.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, came into force on April 8 (Tuesday). After a 12-hour discussion, the Upper House cleared the bill with 128 members voting in favour, whereas 95 members voted against the legislation.
The act aims to modify the Waqf Act, 1995 and the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2013. The 1995 act and the 2013 amendment laid out rules to govern the Waqf properties in India; created special courts (called Waqf Tribunals) with powers similar to civil courts (Tribunal decisions cannot be challenged in civil courts); and prohibited the sale of Waqf properties. (ANI)