New Delhi: Thousands of people opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill or CAB took to the streets despite a curfew in Guwahati. The army has been deployed in four areas of Assam as thousands protested on Wednesday evening, clashing with policemen and plunging the state into chaos. The controversial legislation was passed with 125 voting for it and 99 against. It was cleared by the Lok Sabha two days earlier with the support of as many as 334 MPs.
Transport services to the region has been severely impacted as all train services to Assam and neighbouring Tripura have been suspended following protests. Several airlines too have cancelled flights to Guwahati and Dibrugarh.
Trust this "sevak", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today in a fervent appeal to the Northeast. The Prime Minister was campaigning in Jharkhand when he reached out to the violence-hit northeast.
Amid the protests, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also appealed the people of the state to maintain peace. He said that the CAB is a national-level bill and the people of Assam don''t need to be afraid of it. "I appeal to the people to maintain peace and not get misled", the chief minister said.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave an assurance to the people of Assam that no one can take away their rights, unique identity and beautiful culture, amid protests in parts of the state against the Citizenship Bill.
Classes in most universities and colleges were not held as students joined the protests. Gauhati and Dibrugarh Universities have postponed all examinations scheduled till December 14.
The bill has been slammed by rights groups as well as opposition parties on the grounds that it "discriminates" against Muslim migrants and violates Article 14 of the constitution. Opposition leaders, who claim that the bill can never survive "judicial scrutiny", are expected to challenge it in the Supreme Court.
Here are the updates on the developments around the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill:
Dec 12, 2019 22:19 (IST)
CAB has no connection to minorities in Assam: Home Ministry
The Centre on Thursday issued a statement in a bid to make the provisions of Citizenship Amendment Bill clearer for the people of Northeast. The Bill has passed the legislative test in Parliament.
The Home Minister said the Bill did not dilute the 'Assam Accord'. "The Union government is committed to implementing the Assam Accord. There is a Standing Committee in MHA to monitor implementation of the accord. The CAB does not dilute the sanctity of Assam Accord as far as the cut-off date of March 24, 1971, stipulated for detection/deportation of illegal immigrants, is concerned."
Dec 12, 2019 21:16 (IST)
Will not allow ''unconstitutional'' CAB in Punjab, says Amarinder Singh
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday said his government will not allow the Bill to be implemented in Punjab.
"Terming the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) as a direct assault on India's secular character, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh today said his government would not allow the legislation to be implemented in his state," the Chief Minister''s Office said.
He said that his government would not let the legislation rip apart the secular fabric of the country, whose strength lies in its diversity.
"The Parliament had no authority to pass a law that defiled the Constitution and violated its basic principles and fundamental rights of the people of India", said the Chief Minister, declaring CAB to be "null and void" on account of the fact that it was against the tenets and values contained in the Constitution.
Dec 12, 2019 20:18 (IST)
Mobile Internet ban extended in Tripura
Suspension of mobile internet services had been extended for another 24-hours in Tripura after the 48-hour blockade ended on Thursday afternoon, officials said.
Dec 12, 2019 20:17 (IST)
9 trains cancelled following agitation against CAB
Nine trains to and from Dibrugarh in Assam have been cancelled and partially cancelled on Thursday due to the agitation following the passing of the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) by the Parliament.
According to a press release, three trains, including the Rajdhani Express travelling from Dibrugarh to New Delhi, have been cancelled, while six trains, including the Brahmaputra Mail from Delhi to Dibrugarh, have been partially cancelled.
Army columns have been deployed in Assam and Tripura to contain the growing protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill.
Dec 12, 2019 20:08 (IST)
CAB wont see the light of day in Kerala, says Pinarayi Vijayan
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, "Come what may, it's not going to see the light of day in Kerala".
"The CAB is absolutely undemocratic and against the basic tenants of the Constitution. For the world outside, the CAB is a shame for India. This is nothing but the agenda of the RSS to make the country a Hindu Rashtra," said Mr Vijayan.
"We will not accept it", he said, adding "it won't take shape in Kerala."
"It's quite certain that the Bill will not pass judicial scrutiny as the very essence of our secular character has been affected. When the Partition took place, lots of Muslims opted for India as they did not want to live in a religious country. The RSS is now trying to do what was done in Pakistan then. But this will be opposed," added Mr Vijayan.
Dec 12, 2019 19:59 (IST)
Three protestors dead in Guwahati
BREAKING: Three protestors dead in police firing in Guwahati
