Anti-CAA Protests LIVE Updates: 16 dead in UP, internet services restored in Aligarh

The Supreme Court refused to stay the implementation of the amended Citizenship Act on Wednesday, however, decided to study its constitutional validity. A three-judge bench headed by the Chief Justice of India S.A. Bobde and comprising of Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice Surya Kant has asked Centre to file a response by the second week of January, and the hearing has been scheduled for January 22.  SC asks Attorney General, representing Centre, to consider using the audio-visual medium to make citizens aware of CAA.

Meanwhile, protests that erupted last week in opposition to the Citizenship Act, have refused to douse. Nation-wide protests by political parties, organisations and students are scheduled to be held on December 19, to oppose the bill passed by the Parliament. Delhi, West Bengal, northeastern states, Uttar Pradesh, are already witnessing massive protests. 

Political parties leading protests 

• In a statement, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury called on all district committees to mobilise their workers to protest against the BJP-led government's “unconstitutional moves” on Wednesday.
• West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has been leading protest rallies in different parts of Kolkata for the past four days. 
• Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder Kamal Haasan was not allowed to enter the Madras University when the leader went to protest along with the students. He spoke to the students standing outside the gate, asking them to continue their agitation.

Restrictions 

• Delhi Police has denied permissions to the Left parties to hold protests in the national capital, citing law and order situation. 
• Meanwhile, to put security in check, BJP-led states--Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh governments have imposed Section 144 to ban mass public gatherings, and curtail protests. 
• In Mumbai, along with the cops, Riots Control Police (RCP), Quick Response Teams (QRT) and SRPF will be deployed to keep a check on the protests. 
• Security has been amped up in Telangana. In Uttar Pradesh, arrests have been made and internet suspended in multiple districts. 
• Section 144 has been imposed in Delhi's Red Fort and 13 metro stations have been shut. 

Over 400 students and alumni of US universities including--Harward, Yale, Columbia, Stanford, and Tufts on Tuesday extended their support to the students of Jamia Millia University and Aligarh Muslim University. Several countries, including the US, the UK, Australia, Singapore, Canada, and Israel have issued travel advisories to their respective citizens to exercise caution while travelling to India in the wake of large-scale protests across the country.

The Home Ministry on Tuesday claimed that no bullet was fired by Delhi Police during the violent protests. There have been allegations that the Delhi Police fired bullets to quell protests during the violent agitation at Jamia. The officials informed that as many as 10 people with "criminal backgrounds" have been detained in pertaining to the protests. However, no details of their actual identity have been divulged, neither is it known if the arrested people affiliate with any political organisation or group. The Police report further said that more "anti-social elements" are being tracked. 

PM Modi's challenge 

Addressing an election rally in Barhait, Jharkhand took on the Congress party for peddling lies over the Citizenship Act. PM Modi said, "Today, I openly challenge the Congress and their allies to declare openly if they have the courage, are they ready to give Indian citizenship to every citizen of Pakistan."

He also accused Congress of lying."They have started spreading white lies about the Citizenship Amendment Act, and are scaring people. The Congress, its parties and its left ecosystem have given full force to frighten the Muslims of India." On Monday, in a joint press brief of Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad and Kapil Sibal, CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury and D Raja and others, the Opposition condemned the violence unleashed in the national capital and explicitly opposed the Citizenship Act. 

Amid the on-going protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the Home Ministry sources on Tuesday, December 17, clarified that "the act has nothing to do with deportation of any foreigner or with the National Register of Citizens (NRC)." The sources further clarified that the CAA does not interfere with any Indian citizen.

Speaking about the deportation of foreigners, sources said, "The deportation process of any foreigner irrespective of his religion or country is implemented as per the mandate of the Foreigners Act, 1946 and/or The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920. These two laws govern entry, stay, movement within India and exit from India of all foreigners irrespective of their religion or country." Further, the MHA sources outlined that the deportation process would apply to any illegal foreigner staying in India.

READ| CAA uproar: Home Ministry clarifies 'it has nothing to do with NRC'

Delhi Police detains protesters in Delhi's Red Fort area, as protesters gather in large numbers violating Section 144. 14 metro stations in the national capital have been shut. 

• Ramchandra Guha detained in Bangalore for protesting against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. 
• Protesters are being detained in Chennai by Police. The state police have stopped giving permission to anti CAB protests. Even in the permitted places.
• Hyderabad Police detain over 100 students of the University of Hyderabad who were planning to protest outside the university. Detained students raise slogans against CAA.
• Police detains 24 people in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi. 
   

As per the order, services were suspended for locations including walled city areas of north and central districts, Mandi House, Seelampur, Jaffarbad, Mustafabad, Jamia Nagar, Shaheen Bagh, and Bawana. Telecom service providers including Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio barred the services to comply with the order. 

"In view of the prevailing law and order situation, it is hereby directed that communication of all types i.e. voice, SMS and internet, be halted from 0900 hours to 1300 hours in Cell IDs/BTS (base transceiver stations) covering the following areas for 19-12-2019," said the order issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell, New Delhi. Gurugram Police also confirmed that Delhi borders have been sealed at NH48, MG.

Delhi protests

Meanwhile in Delhi, where buses were burnt and Jamia  Millia students were attacked by Delhi police is currently experiencing internet shut down in several places. Moreover, section 144 has been imposed in North-East district, Red Fort, and some parts of New Delhi, where protests were happening against the amended Citizenship Act. Several leaders like Yogendra Yadav, Sitaram Yechury, D Raja, Nilotpal Basu, Brinda Karat and others were detained by the Delhi police. 

Sources report that in total 1200 people were detained in Delhi of which 350 protestors were taken to Suraj Mal Stadium Nangloi and Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Bawana - temporary detention areas. Protestors were also taken to Red fort, Shahidi Park, Jantar Mantar, and Mandi House, as per sources. Police had also provided detainees with refreshments. Apart from the Delhi police, 52 companies of paramilitary forces and Rapid Action Forces too were used as per sources. In total over 13000 police and forces were used to patrol sensitive areas across the national capital.

Amid the anti-CAA protests across Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, one person has died of firearm injury in KGMU Trauma Centre in Lucknow, according to PTI. Denying police's involvement in this incident, Uttar Pradesh DGP OP Singh said that police had not fired on the person. He added that the case was unrelated to the ongoing agitation and police action.

Security beefed up in Maharashtra ahead of the protests in August Kranti Maiden against the amended Citizenship Act, 2019.

Meanwhile, the Ghaziabad, Bareilly  District Administration has suspended internet services in the district for 24 hours from 10 PM. Moreover, internet services are going to be suspended in Lucknow after rampant violence. Meanwhile Assam govt will restore internet by Friday after Gauhati HC ordered it.

Moreover, internet has been supsended in Prayagraj till 10 AM Friday. Karnataka govt has suspended mobile internet services for 48 hours in Mangaluru city & Dakshina Kannada District.

A state transport bus set ablaze, allegedly during a protest against CAA in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal. 

Two persons have been killed in police firing during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protest in Mangaluru, according to PTI. 

No untoward incident was reported during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests in the national capital on Thursday, the Delhi Police said. Delhi Police Public Relation Officer (PRO) Mandeep Singh Randhawa said social media and WhatsApp groups are being closely monitored to check rumour-mongering.

Meanwhile,Mumbai saw thousands of its citizens protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on Thursday at the August Kranti Maidan. No untoward incidents were reported and no one was detained by the police. Several celebrities who had turned up for the protests had thanked the police for the security arrangements.

In a shocking incident, Ahmedabad police on Thursday were hounded and pelted with stones by protestors in the city. Visuals show a mob of men pelting stones at the policemen who had tried to defend themselves by entering into a nearby structure. Some youths are seen trying to gesture the mob to stop the attack. Another video also shows a cop who was seen beaten up brutally by a mob after he fell while trying to escape from the stone-pelting.

Mob attacks police in Gujarat

Police arrests culprits

49 people have been detained by the police in connection with the horrific violence in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Congress corporator Shehzad Khan is among the individuals detained. An FIR has been lodged against nearly 5000 people for rioting, creating violence and attacking police officers. As per the sources, the policemen suffered severe head injuries. While 21 police personnel were injured, 16 of them had to be admitted to the hospital out of which 13 were discharged.

On Friday morning, mobile internet services were restored in Assam after a gap of 9 days. Earlier, the Gauhati High Court had ordered the Assam government to resume internet services in the state by 5 pm on Thursday. 

The Uttar Pradesh police has registered an FIR against 17 individuals for the violence that erupted during an anti-Citizenship Amendment Act rally in Sambhal on December 19. This includes Samajwadi Party leaders such as Feroz Khan and MP Shafiqur Rahman Barq. 

As per the order issued by the UP Additional Chief Secretary, the mobile internet as well as SMS services of all network providers have been suspended in Lucknow till 12 pm on December 21. 

The Chennai police registered a case against 600 people protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act on Thursday. This includes actor Siddharth, musician TM Krishna, MP Thirumavalavan & MH Jawahirullah. The protest took place at Valluvar Kottam in Chennai. The action was taken as the protest went on despite its permission being revoked by the police. 

The Delhi police has detained Sharmistha Mukherjee, the Delhi Mahila Congress chief near Union Home Minister Amit Shah's residence during a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act. She is the daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee. 

Members of the Bhim Army protested against the Citizenship Amendment Act in the national capital. Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad also joined the protests. However, the Delhi police had denied permission to the Bhim Army in this regard. 

A dramatic face-off was witnessed between the police and the people protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh. The police lathicharged some of the protesters. 

During a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal was arrested by the police in Alappuzha, Kerala. He inaugurated the 'Save Constitution' march. 

There was a huge clash between protesters and the police in Muzzafarnagar, Uttar Pradesh earlier in the day. The protesters indulged in stone-pelting. 

Violent scenes were witnessed on the streets of Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh during the protest against the CAA. Public property including vehicles was set on fire. 

Police and the protesters clashed in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was an MP from Gorakhpur for multiple terms.

The violent protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act spread to Maharashtra. Beed region witnessed stone-pelting. 

In view of the current heavy traffic congestion along the Gurugram-Delhi highway, Air India has decided to refund charges for all domestic and international tickets for travel from Delhi on November 19.

Protests turned violent in Uttar Pradesh's Hazratganj after protesters pelted stones at Policemen, who in return resorted to lathi charge. A media OB van was set ablaze.

Mobile internet services to remain suspended in Assam, till 9 AM Friday. 

All entry and exit gates of Chandni Chowk, Barakhamba, Mandi House, Pragati Maidan, Lal Quila, Jama Masjid, Delhi Gate, ITO, Janpath, Khan Market, Vasant Vihar, and Munirka are open.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a rally on Thursday said, "Suddenly after 73 years of independence we have to prove that we are Indian citizens. Where was BJP's head and tail at that time, BJP is dividing the country. Don't stop your protest because we have to get Citizenship (Amendment) Act revoked."

Ahmed Patel, Jyotiraditya Scindia, RPN Singh, & Deepender Singh Hooda arrive at the residence of Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi for party's core group meeting over 'unrest across the country after Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

People protesting against the CAA gathered in the Daryaganj area in the national capital. However, violence again broke out with vehicles being torched. 

Delhi police on Daryaganj violence 

Delhi police PRO MS Randhawa said, "Many of our personnel injured, some people detained. We used mild force and water cannon, didn't lathicharge protesters or lob tear-gas shells.Outsiders were involved in violence near Delhi Gate during protest against Citizenship Amendment Act; some people have been detained". 

MHA assures citizens on CAA guidelines 

• Citizenship of India may be proved by giving any document relating to date of birth or place of birth or both.Such a list is likely to include a lot of common documents to ensure that no Indian citizen is unduly harassed or put to inconvenience.
• Indian citizens do not have to prove any ancestry by presenting documents like identity cards, birth certificates etc of parents/grand parents dating back to pre-1971 situation.
• lliterate citizens, who may not have any documents, authorities may allow them to produce witnesses or local proofs supported by members of community. A well laid out procedure will be followed.

Uttar Pradesh government's Additional Chief Secretary, Awanish Kumar Awasthi:

"5 people died today in the violence during protests against Citizenship AmendmentAct, across the state. Two in Bijnor, 1 in Faridabad, 1 Meerut and 1 in Kanpur."

Maharashtra Minister Jayant Patil says:

"There's an unstable atmosphere over Citizenship Act & NRC across country. There have been violent protests in northeastern&northern states which is unfortunate. Constitution gives everyone right to protest but violence can never be supported. NCP workers and functionaries should never participate in any violent protest directly or indirectly. I appeal that nobody in the state should do anything which will create law and order problem."

Uddhav assures protestors

Assuring those protesting against the amended Citizenship Bill, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, on Friday that the Act has not been implemented yet as the matter was pending in the Supreme Court while addressing reporters outside Nagpur Assembly. He added that there was no need for any misunderstanding leading to fears on the Act. He further appealed for peace and told protestors to not pay heed to those spreading violence.

"There are some misunderstandings arisen due to the Citizenship Act throughout the nation. Protests are prevalent throughout the country including some parts of Maharashtra where violence has erupted. But I want to say that there is no need for misunderstanding, the matter is pending in the Supreme Court. Do not fall prey to those who are trying to harm the environment in Maharashtra," he said.

 "I have talked to several protestors and cleared their doubts. I would like to tell all brothers and sisters from all societies, castes, religions, that the Maharashtra government will not allow the rights of any society, religion to be threatened. There will be no need for anyone to leave the country, the Maharashtra government is capable of assuring this. Maharashtra is giving a new direction to the entire nation," he added.

Delhi Police detains 40 people in connection with violent protest in Daryaganj: Officials

The opposition party RJD has announced a bandh in Bihar on Saturday. The workers of the party hit the streets to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Violence was witnessed in some areas. 

After days of interrupted services owing to violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, the Delhi Metro has resumed its normal services. The entry and exit gates at all stations have been opened.

As per an order issued on Friday night, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced the closure of all schools, colleges, and universities in the state on Saturday. 

According to officials, the death toll in violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Uttar Pradesh on Friday rose to 11. 

Members of the Left organizations held a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act outside the MGR Chennai Central Railway station in Tamil Nadu.

The police in Maharashtra has lodged cases against 103 people for allegedly indulging in violence during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. 

During the Bihar bandh on Saturday to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act, workers of the RJD attacked an autorickshaw when children were sitting inside the vehicle. This incident took place in Bhagalpur, Bihar. 

Protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act broke out in Kolkata. The Youth Congress led a protest march in this regard. 

The Delhi police have registered an FIR pertaining to the violence that broke out in Daryaganj on Friday. The Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad has been named in the FIR. He will soon be produced before the Tis Hazari Court. 

Former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav led a protest rally against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The RJD is observing a Bharat Bandh today. 

Fresh clashes between the police and protesters were reported in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh over the Citizenship Amendment Act.

During a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Kanpur, Samajwadi Party MLA Amitabh Bajpai was detained by the Uttar Pradesh police. 

BJP working president JP Nadda convened a meeting of senior party leaders at its Delhi headquarters to strategize on the ways to deal with the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. 

Darya Ganj violence

Court denies bail to Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad. Court also orders 14 days judicial custody to Azad. The defendent has claimed that the police have no evidence against him

"57 police personnel across the state have received gun shot injuries. Some of them are critical," says UP DGP O P Singh to Republic TV as violence continues in the state amid anti-CAA protests.

1 protestor dead, 6 vehicles including a police bike torched; a dozen people detained during anti-CAA stir in Rampur say officials. Death toll due to violence rises to 11 in UP.

Three RJD members including party's Bhagalpur district president Tirupati Nath Yadav, have been expelled from the party for vandalising auto-rickshaws in Bhagalpur during 'bandh' called by the party against Citizenship Act and National Register of Citizens, according to ANI.

Internet services in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh were restored on Sunday. The protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act had resulted in the internet services being suspended in the region December 15 onwards, 

After fresh protests broke out in various parts of Uttar Pradesh over the CAA on Saturday, the death toll in the state rose to 16. 

During the protests over the CAA in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, a police constable narrowly escaped death. While a bullet pierced his bulletproof vest, it got stuck in the wallet that was kept in his jacket's front pocket. 

Amid anti-CAA protest nationwide, massive pro-CAA rallies are being held in Mumbai's Ghatkopar and Nagpur to create awareness on the Citizenship Amendment Act.