 "‘Make in India’ Rafales: MoD begins review of Rs 2 lakh crore fighter jet proposal")
 "Nari Shakti sets sail: 10 women officers from 3 forces on historic voyage around the world")
Citizenship Amendment Bill protests LATEST Updates: At least three people have died due to bullet injuries on Thursday after police opened fire on protesters in Assam’s Guwahati, reports said. An official of the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital told PTI that one person was “brought dead” and another succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment. The official, however, could not give their names, saying that “they were brought unidentified”. The state has been on edge as thousands of angry protesters came out on streets defying curfew on Thursday, heckling Army contingents staging flag marches, and clashing with police across cities. A curfew has been imposed in Meghalaya’s Shillong and SMS and internet services have been suspended across the state for 48 hours starting from 5 pm on Thursday, sources said. One person has succumbed to a bullet injury in Assam due to the violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill on Thursday, sources said. The Chaygaon resident was reportedly injured in Lachit Nagar and was admitted to the Guwahati Medical College. The state is facing violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill for the third consecutive day on Thursday. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday echoed West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s resistance to the Citizenship Amendment Bill and said that Kerala wouldn’t accept it. “CAB is unconstitutional. The central government is trying to divide India on religious lines. This is a move to sabotage equality and secularism,” he said. Stones were thrown at Assam Police chief Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta’s convoy on Thursday when he was touring the city, ravaged by violent protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. The cavalcade was on the Guwahati-Shillong Road near Christian Basti where it was attacked. Stones were thrown at several vehicles in the convoy that was on its way from the Secretariat. The convoy had to stop several times as the entire stretch was blocked by protesters who put up wooden structures and iron barricades. When the vehicles stopped in the Christian Basti area and security personnels were clearing the road, some protesters threw stones. No one was hurt and no damage occurred. (PTI) Artist Papon Angaraag on Thursday said he had cancelled his concert in Delhi due to the violent protests over the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Assam and Tripura. He said, “Dear Delhi. I am very sorry but I have decided not to do the concert tomorrow at ‘imperfectoshor’ as planned! My home state Assam is burning, crying and under curfew! I won’t be able to entertain you the way I should in my present state of mind!” “I know this is unfair on you as you had bought tickets and planned long ahead. I am sure the organizers will take care of that in someway and as promised I’ll see you all on another day in future! I hope you will understand!” he added. Amid violent protests all over Assam, a curfew was imposed in Tinsukia for 24 hours and in Jorhat for 12 hours. Section 144 was imposed by the Assam administration in several districts, including Sonitpur, Lakhimpur and Tinsukia. In a meeting of the unified command, presided over by the Chief Secretary, it was decided that the Indian Army will take charge of the security situation in Assam, which has seen violent protests since the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill by the Parliament. In Assam’s Chabua, BJP MLA Binod Hazarika’s residence was set ablaze by anti-Citizenship Amendment Bill protestors, PTI reported, quoting officials. Additonally, vehicles and the circle office were torched by protestors. Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has cancelled his visit to India, scheduled for 12 to 14 December. This comes amid Bangladesh raising strong objections against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. “I had to cancel my trip to New Delhi as I have to participate in the ‘Buddijibi Debosh’ and ‘Bijoy Debosh’ and more so as our State Minister is out of the country in Madrid and our Foreign Secretary is in the Hague,” Momen told ANI. Stone pelting was reported at the residence of Nagaon MLA Rupak Sarmah in Assam, while protestors surrounded the Guwahati residence of Rajya Sabha BJP MP Bhubaneswar Kalita’s house.Borsola MLA Ganesh Limbu’s house was also surrounded by protesters. Closure of schools in Biswanath till 14 December and in Guwahati till 22 December was ordered by the administration. Internet has been suspended in Assam for another 48 hours effective from 12 pm on Thursday amid violent protests in the state against the Citizenship Amendment Bill. The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued an advisory to private satellite television channels to be particularly cautious about airing content that is likely to incite violence, promote “anti-national attitudes” and contain anything affecting the integrity of the nation. Top SPG officer Munna Prasad Gupta has replaced Deepak Kumar as the Guwahati police commissioner, even as violent protests are being witnessed in Assam. A 1995 batch IPS officer of the Assam Meghalaya cadre, Gupta was earlier given extension in the central deputation tenure as IG in SPG for the period from 21 February, 2018 to 15 September, 2019. Meanwhile, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma will meet Home Minister Amit Shah at 8 pm. As protests gained intensity in the North East, protestors burnt down a police vehicle in Assam’s Tezpur. The agitators were lathi charged by paramilitary forces. Amid protests in Assam over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal appealed to the people of the state to maintain peace. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing an election rally in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad urged citizens of North East to “have faith” in “servant Modi.” “Today, I appeal to the North-East and especially to the brothers and sisters of Assam and young colleagues from this platform to have faith in your servant Modi. I will not let any tradition of North-East brothers and sisters bear language and culture.” Modi’s statements came amid widespread protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill in northeastern states. The Centre accused the Congress of instigating violence in the North East. During Zero Hour, Congress’ Adhir Chowdhury raised the issue of violence in parts of the Northeast, to which Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the Congress was instigating violence in the region and the government condemned it. After Joshi’s remarks, Congress members walked out of the proceedings. Protestors have allegedly attacked the BJP and Asom Gana Parishad offices in Assam’s Majuli district, while in Guwahati, people have violated the curfew and have assembled in large numbers at the Latasil ground to protest the Citizenship Amendment Bill. Railways has suspended all passenger train services in Tripura and Assam and short-terminated long distance trains to the region to Guwahati following protests in the two states over the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, a railway spokesperson told PTI. Northeast Frontier Railway spokesperson Subhanan Chanda said many passengers are stranded in Kamakhya and Guwahati. In response to Narendra Modi’s tweet assuring the people of Assam that their rights, identity and culture will be preserved, the Congress responded that the message cannot reach the North Eastern state amid an internet shutdown there. Amid widespread protests across the North East, four protestors were wounded and one was in a serious condition after being hit on the head by a bullet after police personnel opened fire at protestors in Assam’s Lalung Gaon. In Guwahati, protestors burnt an effigy of Assam’s finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, with one of the agitators accusing him of turning Assam into Kashmir. The Ranji Trophy matches for the 86th season in Assam and Tripura have been suspended after the passage of Citizenship Bill. In lieu of unrest in Assam, services of 21 passenger trains in the North East frontier railways have been suspended. Additionally, an Indian Super League football between Northeast United FC and Chennaiyin FC to be held in Guwahati has been postponed amid violent protests. As tens of thousands of protesters against the CAB descended on the streets of Assam clashing with police on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to “assure” the people of the state that they have nothing to worry about. “I want to assure them – no one can take away your rights, unique identity and beautiful culture. It will continue to flourish and grow.” As the mercurial debate on the Citizenship Amendment Bill culminated in the passing of the controversial legislation in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MPs will file a writ petition against the Bill in the Supreme Court today, reported News18. According to CNN-News18 legal editor Utkarsh Anand, the line of argument in their petition would be the breaching of Article 14, equality before the law and the right against discrimination. Smouldering with protests as the Rajya Sabha passed the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill on Wednesday, curfew has been imposed in Assam’s Guwahati and Dibrugarh for an indefinite period. The curfew in Guwahati, which was imposed at 6.15 pm, has been extended till an indefinite period, Assam Police additional director-general (Law and Order) Mukesh Agrawal told PTI. “We will periodically review the situation and take the decision to lift it accordingly,” he added. [caption id=“attachment_7770821” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
Protesters burn tyres and banners protesting against Citizenship Amendment Bill in Guwahati on Wednesday. Ashish Malakar/News18 Assam North East[/caption] Earlier, Assam Police director-general Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta said the curfew will be in place till 7 am on Thursday. “In Dibrugarh, curfew was imposed on Wednesday night and will be in force till further orders,” Deputy Commissioner Pallav Gopal Jha said. The army was deployed in four districts to quell the protests. Army PRO Lieutenant-Colonel P Khongsai said two Army columns have been deployed in Guwahati city and are carrying out flag marches. “The Army has also been deployed in Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts,” officials sad. On Wednesday night, the army was called in at Jorhat and its personnel were staging flag march, Deputy Commissioner Roshni Korati told PTI. The Assam government suspended mobile internet and data services of all service providers for 24 hours starting 7 pm Wednesday in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Kamrup (Metro) and Kamrup districts, according to a notification issued by the government. Tens of thousands of protesters against the CAB descended on the streets of Assam, clashing with police and plunging the state into chaos of a magnitude unseen since the violent six-year movement by students that ended with the signing of the Assam accord. Though no party or student body has called a shutdown, protesters, a majority of them students, fought pitched battles with security forces in the restive state, including in front of the secretariat, the seat of the BJP government. Police fired tear gas shells and baton-charged protesters, who fought back. The Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019, which has already been approved by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, proposes to give citizenship to Hindus, Christians, Parsis, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs facing religion persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. With inputs from PTI
Citizenship Amendment Bill protests Updates: 3 dead in Guwahati after police 'opens fire' on protesters; curfew imposed in Shillong
Citizenship Amendment Bill protests LIVE Updates: At least three people have died due to bullet injuries on Thursday after police opened fire on protesters in Assam’s Guwahati, reports said. An official of the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital told PTI that one person was ‘brought dead’ and another succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment. The official, however, could not give their names, saying that “they were brought unidentified”.
)
Farmer leader Akhil Gogoi arrested
Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti president Akhil gogoi has been arrested in Assam’s Jorhat as violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill continued on Thursday.
Hitendra Nath Goswami urges Assam govt, Centre to address unrest over CAB
Speaker of the Assam Assembly, Hitendra Nath Goswami, issued a statement on Thursday as violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill continued in the state.
“Yesterday, the Parliament of India accorded constitutional status to the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 by passing it in the Rajya Sabha. As the Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly and being in a constitutional position, it’s not appropriate for me to comment on a law passed by the Parliament of India, but as a revolutionary and participant of the Assam agitation, I believe that the fear and misunderstanding caused by the Bill is not negligible.
Anticipating that the implementation of the Bill will cause unrest among different tribal and linguistic groups of Assam, I, in last January when the Lok Sabha had adopted the Bill on 9 January 2019, had expressed in a statement that as a citizen and bipartisan observer that anything that will cause unrest and division among the citizens of Assam, particularly the indigenous people, is not something that my conscience allows me to support. That was my then, that is my stand today and will remain the same in the future.
Apart from being the constitutional head of the Assembly, I am also the representative of the people of Jorhat Legislative Assembly constituency. When I got elected as the Speaker of the House, I raised myself above party politics and conducted the house in an impartial way. And because of my role, I can not be part of party politics.
Apart from shouldering the constitutional responsibilities as a Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly, I am also responsible for all-round development of my constituency, and even after being a Speaker, I can not be above the people.
Therefore, with regards to the CAB, sensing the anger of the people of Assam, particularly among the youth, I appeal to both the Central Government and the State Government to take necessary steps to address the problems of the people immediately and seriously.
After being in politics for 30 long years, we have learnt a lot, and it’s our responsibility to honour the sensibilities of the younger generation. At last, as a Speaker of the Assembly, I appeal to all stakeholders to maintain calm across the state.
Hitendra Nath Goswami
Speaker, Assam Legislative Assembly”
Dibrugarh bus terminal set on fire
A bus terminus of the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) in Dibrugarh was set ablaze by protestors on Thursday, PTI reported. A large number of people reached the ASTC terminus at the Chowkidingi area of the city and vandalised the complex and set it on fire.
Army and fire tenders were rushed and they doused the flames without much damage.
Two more dead in CAB protests in Assam
At least three people have died due to bullet injuries on Thursday after police opened fire on protesters in Assam’s Guwahati, reports said.
An official of the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital told PTI that one person was “brought dead” and another succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment. The official, however, could not give their names, saying that “they were brought unidentified”.
The state has been on edge as thousands of angry protesters came out on streets defying curfew on Thursday, heckling Army contingents staging flag marches, and clashing with police across cities.
Presidency University students hold protest
Students of the Presidency University in Kolkata staged a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, even as violent protests continued in Assam for the third consecutive day. The contentious legislation was passed by Parliament on Wednesday.
DU holds protests against CAB
Delhi University students burnt copies of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill here on Thursday as part of a protest against the proposed legislation which they dubbed as “unconstitutional” and “communal”.
The protest at the university’s Art Faculty was called by various students’ bodies, including the Left-backed All India Students’ Association (AISA) and Students’ Federation of India, and autonomous women students’ collective Pinjra Tod, under the banner of Collective-DU. Other organisations and students from Assam also took part in the demonstration.
(PTI)
Maharashtra IPS officer resigns in protest against CAB
Abdur Rahman, a special IGP in Mumbai, issued his resignation on Wednesdat after the Citizenship Amendment Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha.
On Thursday, he said, “The Citizenship Amendment Bill is against the spirit of Constitution. As Civil Disobedience Movement, I have decided to not attend office.”
Curfew imposed in Shillong
A curfew has been imposed in Meghalaya’s Shillong and SMS and internet services have been suspended across the state for 48 hours starting from 5 pm on Thursday.
Two wounded in Assam as CAB protests continue
In addition to one casualty in the Assam protests against Citizenship Amendment Bill on Thursday, sources said that two others were also wounded.
Flash protests against CAB erupt at India Gate
A motley group of protesters gathered at the India Gate here protesting against the “divisive” Citizenship Amendment Bill which passed the Rajya Sabha hurdle on Wednesday. The protesters raised anti-BJP and anti-government slogans and asked the President not to sign the Bill into a law.
The police appealed the playcard-carrying protesters to disperse but to no avail.
(PTI)
One dead due to CAB protests in Assam
One person has succumbed to a bullet injury in Assam due to the violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill on Thursday, sources said. The Chaygaon resident was reportedly injured in Lachit Nagar and was admitted to the Guwahati Medical College.
The state is facing violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill for the third consecutive day on Thursday.
Assam governor appeals for calm
Governor Jagdish Mukhi on Thursday appealed to the people to maintain peace in Assam, the hotbed of protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill.
In a statement, Mukhi urged them to maintain restraint as they have always shown patience and political maturity in the past. “If the student community has any issues against the government they have every right to agitate but they should do it in a democratic and peaceful manner, without taking the law in their hands,” he said.
Mukhi said the approval of the Bill by Parliament has shown that the Centre is committed to taking remedial steps, including implementation of the Clause VI of the Assam Accord to safeguard the culture, ethos, language, along with other rights of the indigenous people.
Ghulam Nabi Azad likens situation in Assam to Jammu and Kashmir
Terming the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) passed by Parliament as “unconstitutional”, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday said that the entire northeast is “burning” in protest against the legislation, and what is happening in the region is a repeat of what happened in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha said the Congress has been trying to highlight that the bill “violated” constitutional provisions and the government was “suppressing” the voice of people from the northeast.
Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurance earlier in the day to the people of Assam, the epicentre of the anti-CAB protests, that their culture and rights would not be affected, Azad said assurances don’t really matter when people are being “killed”.
Kerala will not accept CAB: Pinarayi Vijayan
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday echoed West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s resistance to the Citizenship Amendment Bill and said that Kerala wouldn’t accept it.
“CAB is unconstitutional. The central government is trying to divide India on religious lines. This is a move to sabotage equality and secularism,” he said.
Twitteratti take Narendra Modi to task over ‘assurance’ tweet
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is quick to tweet condolences, birthday wishes and comment on crucial events across the world.
However, on Thursday, Twitterati were equally quick to respond to the prime minister’s tweet assuring the people of Assam even as the northeastern state, along with its sister state Tripura, witnessed mob violence and police action in the past 24 to 48 hours after Parliament passed the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday.
Curfew has been imposed in Guwahati for an indefinite period, while mobile internet and data services been suspended in ten districts including Dibrugarh, Jorhat and Lakhinpur, till 7 pm Thursday.
Read the entire report hereFiring in front of BJP Jorhat MP
An incident of firing occurred outside the residence of Tapan Gogoi, BJP MP from Jorhat in Assam. The state, in addition to Tripura, has seen violent protests for three consecutive days over the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill. The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
The BJP office in Jorhat was also gheraod by protesters, sources said.
Angoorlata Deka’s house vandalised
The residence of Angoorlata Deka, who is BJP MLA from Assam’s Batadroba constituency, was vandalised by protesters on Thursday, as violent agitations against the Citizenship Amendment Bill continued for the third consecutive day.
Santanu Bharali’s residence was also vandalised by protesters. He is the legal adviser to the Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
Stones pelted at Assam DGP’s convoy in Guwahati
Stones were thrown at Assam Police chief Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta’s convoy on Thursday when he was touring the city, ravaged by violent protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
The cavalcade was on the Guwahati-Shillong Road near Christian Basti where it was attacked. Stones were thrown at several vehicles in the convoy that was on its way from the Secretariat.
The convoy had to stop several times as the entire stretch was blocked by protesters who put up wooden structures and iron barricades. When the vehicles stopped in the Christian Basti area and security personnels were clearing the road, some protesters threw stones. No one was hurt and no damage occurred.
(PTI)
Second incident of firing in Assam’s Golaghat
Sources said that another incident of firing occurred in Assam’s Golaghat amid violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill on Thursday.
The Assam government suspended mobile internet and data services of all service providers for 24 hours starting 7 pm Wednesday in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Kamrup (Metro) and Kamrup districts, according to a notification issued by the government.
4 Assam DCP, 14 Superintendents of Police transferred
At least four deputy commissioners of police and 14 superintendents of police were transferred out of the Brahmaputra Valley in Assam in light of the increasingly violent protests in the state over the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, reports said on Thursday.
Deepak Kumar, who was substantively posted as ADGP (Special Branch) and allowed to function as Police Commissioner,Guwahati is transferred and posted as Addl Director General of Police (Training and Armed Police), Assam. He’s also posted as ADGP (STF), as additional charge.
Munna Prasad Gupta, Inspector General of Police (Training and Armed Police), Assam is substantively posted as Inspector General of Police (Training and Armed Police) for the purpose of drawal of salary etc and is allowed to function as Police Commissioner, Guwahati as additional charge.
Police DCP Transfer -Assam by Natasha T. on Scribd
Asom Gana Parishad office attacked by protesters
Headquarters of the Assam Gana Parishad in the city’s Ambari area was attacked on Thursday by people protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Bill. The protestors went inside the building, located on the Gopinath Bordoloi Road in the heart of the city, and smashed a few window panes and damaged the property, PTI quoted the police as saying.
Several vehicles, including those of the police, parked outside the building were also vandalised, the report said. Officials said police then had to baton-charge the agitators. Several teargas shells were also lobbed.
There seems to be confusion, says MEA on Bangladesh FM’s remarks over CAB
Reacting to Bangladesh foreign minister AK Abdul Momen’s comments on India’s stand on illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Thursday said that “there seemed to be some confusion” on India’s rationale behind the Citizenship Amendment Bill.
On Tuesday, Momen was quoted by The Dhaka Tribune as saying, “What they are saying in regards to torture on Hindus is unwarranted as well as untrue. There are very few countries in the world where communal harmony is as good as in Bangladesh. We have no minorities. We are all equal. If he [Amit Shah] stayed in Bangladesh for a few months, he would see the exemplary communal harmony in our country.”
In response, Raveesh echoed the “golden chapter” line by top officials of both governments and said, “There seems to be some confusion. We’ve explained that religious persecution are not happening under present government. Migrants who have sought refuge in India from Bangladesh have faced persecution&abuse on religious grounds.”
All Assam schools to remain shut till 22 December
As Assam continues to see violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, the government has ordered that all schools across the state should be shut till 22 December, CNN-News18 reported.
Papon Angaraag cancels Delhi concert in light of CAB protests in Assam
Artist Papon Angaraag on Thursday said he had cancelled his concert in Delhi due to the violent protests over the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Assam and Tripura.
He said, “Dear Delhi. I am very sorry but I have decided not to do the concert tomorrow at ‘imperfectoshor’ as planned! My home state Assam is burning, crying and under curfew! I won’t be able to entertain you the way I should in my present state of mind!”
“I know this is unfair on you as you had bought tickets and planned long ahead. I am sure the organizers will take care of that in someway and as promised I’ll see you all on another day in future! I hope you will understand!” he added.
Relationship is strong: MEA on Bangladesh FM’s cancellation
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, in his weekly media briefing on Thursday, said that the relations between India and Bangladesh were still “very strong”, even as the neighbour’s foreign minister cancelled his visit to India. The development comes one day after the Parliament passed the Citizenship Amendment Bill, a legislation that Bangladesh had expressed concerns about, in addition to the NRC exercise.
The CAB seeks to extend citizenship to “persecuted minorities” from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Kumar said, “He has given his explanation on cancelling his visit. Our relationship is strong. As leaders of both the countries have said, “this is the golden age of our relations.”
Curfew imposed in Tinsukia, Jorhat
Amid violent protests all over Assam, a curfew was imposed in Tinsukia for 24 hours and in Jorhat for 12 hours.
Section 144 was imposed by the Assam administration in several districts, including Sonitpur, Lakhimpur and Tinsukia.
Army to take charge of Assam
In a meeting of the unified command, presided over by the Chief Secretary, it was decided that the Indian Army will take charge of the security situation in Assam, which has seen violent protests since the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill by the Parliament.
Mamata Banerjee to meet part leaders over CAB, NRC
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee will hold a meeting with party leaders on 20 December over the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019 and National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Students protest at Delhi University against citizenship bill
A group of student organisations held a protest at the Delhi University on Thursday against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. The meeting was called by students’ bodies like the SFI and Pinjra Tod under the banner Collective-DU at the arts faculty in the campus.
Conrad Sangma to meet Amit Shah
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma will meet Home Minister Amit Shah at 8 pm, amid the deteriorating security situation in the north eastern region owing to protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill.
BJP MLA Binod Hazarika’s residence set ablaze
In Assam’s Chabua, BJP MLA Binod Hazarika’s residence was set ablaze by anti-Citizenship Amendment Bill protestors, PTI reported, quoting officials.
Additonally, vehicles and the circle office were torched by protestors.
Meanwhile, five companies of the Assam rifles were deployed in Assam and three in Tripura to assist the Central Armed Police Forces in controlling the law and order situation.
Preparation on for Narendra Modi-Shinzo Abe summit in Guwahati amid protests
Even as Assam witnesses violent protests, sources told CNN-News18 that preparations for the summit to be held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe in Guwahati.
Abe is slated to attend an annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Assam’s Guwahati on 15 to 16 December. As per the schedule, the two leaders will reportedly visit Manipur after attending the two-day summit in Guwahati. They will visit the India Peace Memorial at Maibam Lotpa Ching in Bishnupur district and pay tribute to Japanese soldiers who were killed in Manipur during World War II.
Bangladesh foreign minister cancels New Delhi visit, cites State commitments
Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has cancelled his visit to India, scheduled for 12 to 14 December. This comes amid Bangladesh raising strong objections against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill that was passed by Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
“I had to cancel my trip to New Delhi as I have to participate in the ‘Buddijibi Debosh’ and ‘Bijoy Debosh’ and more so as our State Minister is out of the country in Madrid and our Foreign Secretary is in the Hague,” Momen told ANI.
He added, “Given the increasing demand at home, I have decided to cancel the visit. However, I am looking forward to attending the next meeting in January. I am sending our DG to attend the event.”
Momen had told reporter that India is historically a tolerant country which believes in secularism, but their historic position will be weakened if they deviate from that. Momen termed as “untrue” the allegations of minority repression in Bangladesh by India’s Home Minister Amit Shah, saying “whoever gave them the information, it is not correct”.
What about Goans holding Portuguese passport, asks Goa Congress’ Tajano D’Mello
A day after passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament, the Goa Congress sought to know what would be the fate of Goans who opted for a Portuguese passport.
Talking to reporters, Congress’ Goa unit spokesman Trajano D’Mello said Christian ministers in the Pramod Sawant-led state government should also explain their stand on the bill within 48 hours, or else their silence would be interpreted as their support to it. “So many Goans opted for Portuguese passport because the government (here) has failed to provide them employment. The only purpose to get Portuguese passport wasto survive,” he said, wondering what would be their fate.
He added that the unrest in north-eastern states indicates that India is heading for a second freedom struggle.
Stranded passengers at Dibrugarh airport evacuated in phased manner, says civil aviation ministry
In a series of tweets, the civil aviation ministry said the movement of passengers at Dibrugarh airport in Assam has been disrupted due to blockage of road transportation to and from the aerodrome. The stranded passengers have been evacuated in a phased manner, the ministry said.
“In consultation with stakeholders, air operations to and from the airport shall resume as soon as the situation improves,” it said.
IndiGo, Air India, GoAir, SpiceJet and Vistara have cancelled their flights.
WATCH | Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal appeals to people to maintain peace
Amid violent protests in the state, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananada Sonowal appealed to the people of Assam to maintain peace and tranquility. “It’s our cultural, social and spiritual tradition. I’ve firm belief that people of Assam, as usual, will maintain peace for all time to come,” he said.
He gave a assurance that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah will ensure that Clause 6 of Assam Accord is implemented in letter and spirit to safeguard the people of Assam politically and culturally.
“A section of people is trying to make the situation aggravated by spreading misinformation and misleading people by saying that 10-15 million people are going to take citizenship in Assam. It’s false propaganda,” he added.
Assam administration order closure of schools in Guwahati, Biswanath
The Assam administration has ordered the closure on all schools in the Biswanath district till 14 December. Meanwhile, schools in Guwahati will remain shut till 22 December amid the ongoing protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill.
Protesters target residences of BJP MLAs, MPs in Assam
Stone pelting was reported at the residence of Nagaon MLA Rupak Sarmah in Assam, while protestors surrounded the Guwahati residence of Rajya Sabha BJP MP Bhubaneswar Kalita’s house.
Borsola MLA Ganesh Limbu’s house was also surrounded by protesters. Additionally, Actor Jatin Bora quit the BJP after intense public pressure.
Internet suspended in 10 Assam districts for nother 48 hours
Suspension of internet services in ten districts of Assam was extended for 48 hours on Thursday, beginning 12 pm, to prevent “misuse” of social media to disturb peace and tranquility, and to maintain law and order, officials said.
Internet services will remain suspended in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Kamrup (Metro) and Kamrup, Additional Chief Secretary (Home and Political department) Sanjay Krishna told PTI.
Internet services were suspended at 7 pm on Wednesday amid massive protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
Protestors defy curfew, come out in large numbers at Guwahati’s GS Road, Ganeshguri
Despite the imposition of a curfew, lawlessness prevailed in Guwahati’s GS Road and Ganeshguri areas.
Lathicharge and firing by the police were reported at GS Road, even as Army helicopters hovered over Guwahati to observe the security situation from the skies.
Firing by cops was also reported in the city’s Lakhra area.