GUWAHATI : Protests against Citizenship Amendment Act turned violent in Assam, with people taking to streets, setting fire to vehicles and properties, including houses of BJP leaders in the state. Indefinite curfew has been imposed. Also mobile and internet services have been suspended in 10 districts.
Meanwhile, thousands of outraged protesters are still occupying the streets and fierce confrontation with police has been reported at several places. Scores of vehicles were set ablaze during these faceoffs.
There are also reports of locals pelting stones at the Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s house and burning down houses of a Union Ministers and a couple of other BJP leaders.
CAB’s set provision for granting citizenship to non-Muslim refugees who might be staying without documentation or arriving following persecution from neighbouring 3 countries of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The state’s overwhelming tribal population worry the move could dent the socio-cultural fabric of their society and also stress their resources including livelihoods.
The curfew that was initially intended up to Wednesday evening was made indefinite following violent protests that marked passage of the Bill in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
