NEW DELHI : The new law granting citizenship based on an individual's religion, has transformed northeastern states into fierce battlegrounds, with violence that began in Assam engulfing states around.
Agitated mobs targeted ministers’ houses in these regions.. Violence has escalated to alarming levels in states of Assam, Tripura, and Meghalaya. Riots continue to spread despite army deployments there.
Crowds streaming in thousands into the streets paralysed life in these states, where situation has run out of hand. Protesters have laid siege to Guwahati - Shillong national highway.
Apart from Assam and Tripura, the govt suspended internet and mobile services in Meghalaya too. Also train and airline services have been cancelled.
Houses belonging to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Union Minister Rameshan Teli were attacked. Mobs set fire to residences of BJP MLAs in Assam. Schools in the state have been closed for 10 days. Mobs pelt stones at passing convoy of DGP Bhaskarjyothi Mahanta.
With curfew clamped in Guwahati and Agartala, Ranjit Trophy cricket and ISL football matches venued in Guwahati, have been called off. Also , the venue in Guwahati scheduled for PM Modi’s summit with his Japanese counterpart, is being moved.
