Guwahati: The passing of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019, has sparked violent protests in Assam and Tripura despite assurances by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah that the Bill will not harm the interests of the people living in North East.
Violent protests erupted in different parts of Assam on Wednesday (December 11) against Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) 2019. In Guwahati, which is the epicentre of protests, a man identified as Rahul Das suffered bullet injuries when police resorted to firing in Lachit Nagar in the city. Das has been admitted to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital. Five columns of Indian Army have been deployed in Assam, while three columns of Assam Rifles have been sent to Tripura to maintain law and order. Internet services have been suspended on 10 districts of Assam and Section 144 imposed to stop the protesters from going on rampage.
The Bill, which will give Indian citizenship to refugees from Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Zorastrian communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, was passed in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday (December 11) with 125 votes in favour and 99 against it. The Bill was passed in Lok Sabha with a thumping majority on Monday (December 9).
PM Modi said on Wednesday that the passage of the Bill that it is “a landmark day for India and our nation’s ethos of compassion and brotherhood”. The prime minister said that CAB will alleviate the suffering of those who faced persecution for years due to their religious beliefs.
Besides the BJP, the CAB was supported by JD-U, SAD, AIADMK, BJD, TDP and YSR Congress. The Congress, TMC, DMK, Samajwadi Party and some other Opposition parties strongly opposed the Bill in both Houses of the Parliament.
Violent clashes break out between security personnel and agitators protesting against CAB in Assam’s Tinsukia, five-six shops vandalised and torched in Hijugiri area. One person who suffered serious injuries in the clash dead.
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) files writ petition against Citizenship Amendment Bill2019 in Supreme Court.
Congress MP Ripun Bora has given ‘Suspension of Business Notice’ in Rajya Sabha under rule 267, over ‘current situation of Assam and northeast region’
Congress MPs Adhir Ranjan Chaudhry, K Suresh and Gaurav Gogoi have given Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha, over ‘unrest in north eastern states & law & order situation’.
Five Army Columns have been requisitioned and deployed in Assam. Three Assam Rifles columns requisitioned & deployed in Tripura.
Ranji Trophy matches suspended in Assam and Tripura, following protests in the states.
In the wake of violent protests, several airlines have also cancelled their flights to Guwahati and Dibrugarh and train services have also been drastically hit.
I want to assure them – no one can take away your rights, unique identity and beautiful culture. It will continue to flourish and grow: PM Modi
The Army was deployed in Assam and Assam Rifles personnel in Tripura as the two northeastern states plunged into chaos due to protests against Citizenship Amendment Bill.
Internet services have been suspended in 10 districts of Assam, beginning at 7pm on Wednesday. The services were suspended in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Kamrup (Metro) and Kamrup.
Internet services are already suspended in Tripura for 48 hours from 2pm on Tuesday. Tripura government has banned SMSes on the networks of all mobile service providers.
Bureau Report
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