Assam: 3 killed: flight-trains canceled

Center sends IPS GP Singh to Assam, replaces commissioner in Guwahati

Guwahati / New Delhi, Ta. December 12, 2019, Thursday

The Citizenship Reform Bill (CAB) has been passed in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, but demonstrations are taking a frightening turn in opposition to the bill in the eastern states, especially Assam. CAB protests in Assam have turned violent, leading to the death of three persons.

The curfew was imposed in Guwahati considering the appearance, but thousands of people broke the curfew and took to the road. Curfew has also been imposed in Shillong on Thursday after Guwahati and 48 clak internet has been banned. All flights to Guwahati airport and all trains to North Eastern have been canceled due to the sightings.

On the other side, police opened fire on people who were demonstrating in Lalgaon, where some people were reported injured. A senior police officer claimed that the protesters threw stones at the policemen.

The official did not say the number of people injured in the shooting, but the protesters claim that four people were injured in the shooting. In Guwahati, protesters broke into the curfew indefinitely and landed on the road.

Apart from the police, paramilitary forces and army have also been rocked in view of the people's anger against the citizenship bill. The troops marched in Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Jorhat and Tinsukia.

Besides Assam, troops have been deployed in several areas of Tripura. Commissioner Deepak Kumar, who failed to hold a demonstration in Guwahati, has been removed and his position has been assigned to Munna Prasad.

On the other hand, the central government has sent GP Singh, the IPS officer of its most trusted Assam cadre, to stop the situation in Assam. The demonstrators targeted the houses of Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Union Minister Rameshwar Teli on Wednesday night. He also attacked BJP and Assam Gana Parishad leaders and RSS functionaries.

Several tourists stranded in Kamakhya-Guwahati

Violent protests in Assam and Tripura in protest of the Citizenship Bill have affected the traffic of air and rail trains. Railways canceled all the trains on-going to Assam and Tripura and long-haul trains are being stopped in Guwahati. On the other hand, Indigo has canceled all flights departing to Dibrugarh. The company has introduced a refund for travelers seeking alternative flights for it. Spice Jet also canceled all flights to Guwahati-Dibrugarh. Northeast Border Railway spokesman Subhanan Chanda said the decision was taken early on Thursday morning in view of the security situation. Many tourists were then killed and trapped in Guwahati. The fire was set off at the Panitola Railway Station in Tinsukia on Wednesday night. Therefore, 12 companies of Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) have been rocked in these regions.

Assam Chief Minister Sonowal appeals to people to keep peace

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the protesters to keep the peace and asserted that his government was committed to maintaining the rights of the tribals of the northeastern states. The Prime Minister tweeted that I assure my brothers and sisters in Assam that after the passage of the citizenship bill they have no need to worry. Your rights, distinctive identity and beautiful culture are no threat. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has also appealed to the people to maintain peace. He said some people are spreading false rumors. In this I appeal to the general public to maintain peace.

Opposition in favor of the party: Launch award refund

Opposition from the BJP has now started to rise on the citizenship bill. Actor and Assam BJP leader Jatin Bora on Thursday resigned from the party in protest of the bill. On the other hand, Shirin Dalvi, honored with the State Literature Academy Award in 2011, has returned the award in opposition to the bill.

Citizenship Bill challenged by Indian Muslim League Supreme

The Citizenship Reform Bill has also been passed in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. He will now be sent for the signature of President Ram Nath Kovind. However, the bill will now face a Supreme Court test. The Indian Union Muslim League of Kerala on Thursday challenged the bill in the Supreme Court. It says that citizenship cannot be granted on the basis of religion. It has called for the Supreme Court to repeal the bill as unconstitutional. Congress leader lawyer Kapil Sibal will fight for the Muslim League. Congress, on the other hand, declared that the bill was unconstitutional and that the Supreme Court was considering a challenge. Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari said 10 different groups in the northeast have approached them to challenge the bill. Some Congress leaders also hinted that their party would challenge the bill in the Supreme Court.