Thiruvananthapuram | The Keralam government has reconstituted the State Waqf Board with IUML leader M C Mayin Haji as chairman, dissolving the previous board less than seven months after its formation, officials said on Saturday.

The government issued an order on Friday dissolving the previous board headed by K S Hamsa, which was constituted in March this year by the previous LDF government, and appointed a new nine-member committee despite more than four years remaining in its tenure.

According to officials in the Kerala State Waqf Board, Mayin Haji, state vice-president of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), has served as a Board member in the past.

The other appointed members are IUML leader Kurukkoli Moideen, Musthafal Faizi, Siras D Capsi, Thodiyoor Muhammed Kunju Maulavi, Sajna Firoz, Jaseem Sabaha, Dr Abdul Majeed and Salahi Madina Begham.

The decision came while a petition filed by former chairman Hamsa challenging the reconstitution of the Waqf Board was pending before the Kerala High Court.

The reconstitution has drawn attention due to the absence of representation for the A P Sunni faction led by Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar, while representatives of the Mujahid faction have been included on the board.

The government has not appointed two non-Muslim members as per the amended Waqf law pending a final verdict in a case before the Supreme Court, officials said.

The reconstitution comes amid continuing protests against amendments to the Waqf law introduced by the Centre and disputes over the administration and protection of Waqf properties.

The first meeting of the new board is scheduled to be held soon, officials added.