Anti-CAA protests swell across India; six deaths in UP, violence in Delhi

People protesting against the amended citizenship law have given a call for a bandh in Ranpur for Saturday amid the police taking over 150 people in preventive custody in the last two days. Rampur Superintendent of Police Ajay Pal Sharma said the police have also sought property details of around 250 people who have provoked tension or are suspected to do it in the coming days. "Once we get these details and cases are investigated, their properties will be attached for their attempt to fan violence," Sharma said. Schools and colleges will remain closed on December 21 in Gautam Budh Nagar in view of the protests.

Till the time,this black law is not withdrawn, the protest will continue. Since afternoon, the protest has been going on peacefully. People from the administration had entered Jama Masjid and lathi-charged people in the day: Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Azad at Delhi's Jama Masjid.

Curfew relaxed for 16 hrs tomorrow from 6 AM to 10 PM in Dibrugarh district. Restriction imposed on all country spirit shops and other establishments retailing liquor has also been relaxed. Sale of liquor will be allowed only from 12 noon to 4 pm: Assam government.

Madhya Pradesh: Internet services have been restored in Bhopal.

Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Azad present at Jama Masjid. Earlier today, police had tried to detain him, during protest at Jama Masjid against Citizenship Amendment Act but he was taken out of the spot by his supporters.

Gujarat government has imposed Section 144 (prohibits assembly of more than 4 people in an area) in Rajkot till 1 January, 2020.

Kerala government has stayed all the activities connected with the updation regarding National Population Register (NPR).

Madhya Pradesh: Section 144 imposed in 50 districts (total districts 52) of the state. Curfew imposed in four police station limits in Jabalpur.

Anti-CAA protesters assemble at Delhi Police headquarters in ITO, demand immediate release of those detained by the police.

Madhya Pradesh: Mobile internet services to remain suspended till 6 pm tomorrow (21st December) in Jabalpur.

Today afternoon, a large crowd gathered in the area of Jama Masjid for prayers. After prayers, they wanted to proceed towards Jantar Mantar, but the senior officers present at the spot persuaded them not to march towards Jantar Mantar: Delhi Police

While protesters were being pushed back, a private car parked at Subhash Marg, Darya Ganj was set ablaze. The police staff immediately doused the fire.\Some police personnel incl senior officers were injured in stone-pelting. Around 40 persons have been detained: Delhi Police

In the evening, suddenly some anti-social elements in the gathering started breaking the barricades and indulged in stone-pelting in a bid to march towards Jantar Mantar against the police advice. Police used water cannon and absolutely minimum force to push them back: Delhi Police

Rapid Action Force takes out flag march in Delhi's Daryaganj after violent anti-CAA protest.

Citizenship Act and NRC are against the poor. The poor, they will be most affected by it. What will the daily wage labourers do? Demonstrations should be held peacefully: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at India Gate

Delhi Police PRO, MS Randhawa on protest at Jama Masjid: Protest going on since morning was peaceful. Around 6.30 pm, some outsiders came here and started pelting stones. We used water cannon. People were pushed back. Some policemen received injuries. Some people have been detained.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joins protesters at India Gate; says "NRC is anti-poor".

Internet suspended in Agra, Aligarh, Mau Meerut, Mathura and Ghaziabad.

Visuals: Locals offer tea and roses to police personnel deployed for maintaining law & order following protest against #CitizenshipAmendmentAct, in Jafrabad area.

#Delhi: Locals offer tea and roses to police personnel deployed for maintaining law & order following protest against #CitizenshipAmendmentAct, in Jafrabad area. pic.twitter.com/dghEZOFKqJ

— ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2019

Properties worth Rs 88 crore damaged so far in violent protests against anti-Citizenship in West Bengal. 

Internet services in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad to remain suspended till 10 am on December 21. All schools to stay closed: District Magistrate

A spokesperson of Ministry of Home Affairs shares a detailed tweet, explaining all the provisions pertaining to citizenship in India. 

A thread explaining the provisions pertaining to #Citizenship in India and some concerns regarding the #CAA2019:#CitizenshipAmendmentAct

1/9

— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) December 18, 2019

Uttar Pradesh TET examinations suspended due to anti-Citizenship protests. The examinations were scheduled to be held on December 22. 

Zomato and Dominos suspends its services in part of Delhi due to CAA protests.

Entry and exit gates at all stations, except Jama Masjid, Jaffrabad and Maujpur-Babarpur have been opened: DMRC

All entry and exit gates of Kashmere Gate are open. Entry is permitted at Rajiv Chowk: DMRC

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Mamata Banerjee's remark on Citizenship Act: We never wanted a 3rd party or international fora's interference in our affairs. On a completely domestic matter she has chosen to ask for UN. Does she have no faith in institutions of India? I totally condemn her statement. And it is irresponsible of a chief minister to talk like that. 

Uttar Pradesh government's Additional Chief Secretary, Awanish Kumar Awasthi: Five people died today in the violence during protests against #CitizenshipAmendmentAct, across the state. 

Uttar Pradesh government's Additional Chief Secretary, Awanish Kumar Awasthi: 5 people died today in the violence during protests against #CitizenshipAmendmentAct, across the state. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/ZryS0VaZ02

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 20, 2019

Total six people have been killed in violent protests against Citizenship Act, one on December 19 and five on Dec 20, across Uttar Pradesh.

Sonia Gandhi accused BJP government of supressing people's voice against Citizenship Act.

In a democracy people have right to raise their voice against policies of govt®ister their concerns. BJP govt has shown utter disregard for people’s voices&chosen to use brute force to suppress dissent: Sonia Gandhi

Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi: In a democracy people have right to raise their voice against policies of govt&register their concerns. BJP govt has shown utter disregard for people’s voices&chosen to use brute force to suppress dissent. #CitizenshipAmendmentAct pic.twitter.com/ycMph7Eib4

— ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2019

Visuals: People hold demonstration at Delhi's Central Park in Connaught Place in support of Citizenship Act.

Delhi: People hold demonstration at Central Park in Connaught Place in support of #CitizenshipAmendmentAct pic.twitter.com/DstH3t1Dh4

— ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2019

Visuals: Heavy security deployed in Delhi's Daryaganj area due to the ongoing protest against Citizenship Act. 

Delhi: Heavy security deployed in Daryaganj area due to the ongoing protest against #CitizenshipAct https://t.co/TJF4uDbdKa pic.twitter.com/5OsjMq4mGC

— ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2019

All entry and exit gates of Dilshad Garden are open: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation

#UPDATE Delhi Metro Rail Corporation: All entry & exit gates of Dilshad Garden are open. pic.twitter.com/lixOtJtnHP

— ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2019

Video: Protest continues outside Delhi's Jama Masjid against Citizenship Act.

#WATCH Protest continues outside Delhi's Jama Masjid against #CitizenshipAmendmentAct. pic.twitter.com/i9xvjoZAFb

— ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2019

Gate no. 3 and 4 of Kashmere Gate have been opened: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation

Visuals: Car torched in Delhi's Daryaganj during protest over Citizenship Act.

Delhi: Car torched in Daryaganj during protest over #CitizenshipAct pic.twitter.com/2o4tkDXZO6

— ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2019

Thousands of people march to Delhi's Jantar Mantar in protest. DMRC shuts 17 metro stations including, Mandi House, Janpath, Central Secretariat, Kashmere Gate, Chandni Chowk,  Jamia Millia Islamia, Jaffrabad, Maujpur-Babarpur  among others.

The protest at Delhi Gate in Daryaganj is turning violent. Stone pelting has been going on in Delhi Gate for sometime now.

Delhi: Gate no. 3 and 4 of Kashmere Gate metro station have been opened.

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray in Nagpur: I appeal to people of Maharashtra to maintain peace and calm. Maharashtra government will ensure that no one's rights are snatched away.

After the prayers in UP's Bahraich district, people opposing the Act pelted stones at the police. To disperse the crowd, the police resorted to lathi-charge and opened tear gas. A tense situation persists in the area and heavy force has been deployed at the site of the incident near Ghantaghar Chowk. Thousands of people took out a march even after the implementation of Section 144 in the district.

The entry and exit gates of Kashmere Gate and Central Secretariat have also been closed. Interchange facility is available at these stations.

Now, entry and exit gates of Mandi House, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Pragati Maidan and Khan Market are closed. Interchange facility is available at Rajiv Chowk and Mandi House metro stations: DMRC. A total of 15 metro stations have been shut till now.

Additional DCP Rohit Rajbir Yadav hit with stone on head in Seemapuri locality near Shahdara in Delhi during ongoing anti-CAA protests.

Traffic movement closed on Old Iron Bridge, Pushta Road and carriageway from Seelam Pur to Yamuna Vihar due to demonstration. Kindly avoid these stretches: Delhi Traffic Police

Protests being majorly backed by 59 political parties who have moved Supreme Court against the CAA. Internet was blocked in certain areas on Thursday looking at law and order situation as people had started gathering near Red Fort. Those who have objections to CAA can give their suggestions to the MHA, it will be incorporated as the rules are yet to be framed: Senior government official.

Additional DCP Rohit Rajbir Singh suffers a minor injury due to stone pelting during anti-CAA stir in Seemapuri: Delhi Police

Three more metro stations in Delhi shut--Dilshad Garden, Shiv Vihar and Johri Enclave. A total of ten metro stations are shut at 4.20 pm.

Protests intensify in several parts of Uttar Pradesh including Bulandshahr, Firozabad and Meerut. Violent protest in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr as demonstrators pelted stones on cops and set fire to a police van. The cops fired tear gas and resorted to lathi-charge.

Mangaluru South Police: 6 or 7 Kerala journalists were detained today in the morning. All of them were released half an hour ago.

Many companies stopped internet service in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, on the instructions of the government.

Section 144 of CrPC has been is imposed in Kodagu, Karnataka. Many shops have been shut. 

Protestors pelt stones at police personnel during demonstration against the Citizenship Act in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur.

Entry and exit gates of Delhi Gate, Jaffrabad, Maujpur-Babarpur and Jamia Millia Islamia have been closed. Trains will not be halting at these stations. Of the 285 stations, Chawri Bazar, Lal Quila, Jama Masjid and Delhi Gate on Violet line, Jaffrabad and Maujpur-Babarpur on Pink line and Jamia Millia Islamia on Magenta line are closed as per instructions of security agencies. Rest of the metro network is operating as per schedule.

Protest rally against Citizenship Act halted at Delhi Gate, amidst tightened security.

Delhi Police tried to detain Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Azad, during protest at Jama Masjid but he was taken out of the spot by his supporters. 

Delhi Police conduct flag march in Seelampur. VP Surya, DCP Northeast Delhi said, "There's peace in the area today. 10 companies of paramilitary forces deployed and 1,500 other security personnel also present in the sensitive areas here. Drones also being used to monitor the situation."

Delhi: Police conducts flag march in Seelampur. VP Surya, DCP Northeast Delhi says,"There's peace in area today. 10 companies of paramilitary forces deployed&1500 other security personnel also present in the sensitive areas here. Drones also being used to monitor the situation." pic.twitter.com/fjf4Rmhfzh

— ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2019

Protesters start their rally from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar.

Delhi Police PRO, MS Randhawa also present at the spot to control and monitor the situation. Randhawa asked people gathered at Jama Masjid to peacefully disperse. 

Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Azad also present at Jama Masjid in Delhi. Azad was earlier denied permission for a protest march from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar.

People hold peaceful protests inside Jama Masjid premises in the national capital

Locals offered roses to Delhi Police PRO MS Randhawa and other senior Police officers at Jama Masjid.

Delhi: Locals offer roses to Delhi Police PRO MS Randhawa and other senior Police officers at Jama Masjid pic.twitter.com/lJGoLUveh8

— ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2019

The mobile internet and SMS services will remain suspended in several districts including Lucknow, Agra, Aligarh, Mau, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Sambhal City area, Meerut, Bareily, Mathura, Muradabad, Pilibhit and Ghaziabad. In Sambhal and Saharanpur, mobile internet services have been snapped till 2 pm. The decision has been taken in order to prevent the possible misuse of the internet to disturb the peace and tranquillity of these cities and create further law and order situation.

The entry and exit gates of Chawri Bazar, Lal Quila and Jama Masjid have been closed. The trains will not be halting at this stations.

Scores were arrested in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow. Rapid Action Force (RAF) was deployed in Khadra area.

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (Binay Tamang faction) is holding a mass rally in Darjeeling, Kurseong, and Kalimpong against NRC and CAA. It will also be followed by a public meeting. The people's from different part of the hills will be joining this rally. Even tea garden workers will be present. 

In Gujarat's Banaskantha a case has been filed against 22 people for resorting to violence during protests in Chhapi area. The complaint was filed against the mob for committing violence, including assault on police, rioting, sabotage, conspiracy to commit violence. A case has been registered on the complaint of PSI LP Meena of Raipur. Amarnath Janakuram Vasava, who is considered a special of MLA Jingnesh Mevani, is the main accused for this violence. Despite the cancellation of protests, demonstrators created a ruckus.

Delhi Police has denied permission to Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Azad for a march from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar. Security has been beefed up in Jantar Mantar and Delhi Police, CRPF women troops hav been deployed.

The Bengaluru city police has warned its citizens against watching and storing provoking posts. "Dear citizens, We are watching & storing every provoke posts, Please beware of spreading hatred for you own good. #144crpc," tweeted the police.

Protests were also witnessed Kalamnuri in Hingoli district of Maharashtra. Stone was pelted on a state transport bus and protesters also tried to burn another bus. At least two people were injured. Police have started the process of filing complaints against unknown people.

Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh will hold a rally in favour of NRC and CAA in Asansol on Friday along with other state leaders. However, Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate has denied them permission saying that the area is sensitive and has a history of communal clashes in 2018. However, BJP has said they will go ahead with this rally even without the permission.

On Thursday, when relief wasn't granted in Jamia case, a few advocates shouted 'Shame Shame' after the bench rose. Delhi HC said, "We are referring this matter to a committee who will take an appropriate decision." The lawyers said, "This news regarding 'shame shame' slogan has been widely published in many newspapers. The message goes wrong, we need to stop this trend. We need to take strong action to avoid the repetition of this type of event in future."

Several lawyers prayed before the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court to take suo motu cognizance under the Contempt of Court Act against the lawyers who on Thursday misconducted and chanted "Shame shame" in the court premises during the hearing of Jamia violence matter.

Protest by Muslim community in Nagpur, they will gather at Chitnis park, will start their protest by 2 pm for Maharashtra legislature.

All journalists with proper media accreditation cards given all access to report. Few people not having any accreditation cards issued by any authority, not from any formal media and in possession of many things unconnected to reporting are being questioned. Concerned DIPR of that state will be requested to verify the veracity of them being journalists and further action initiated.

On International Human Solidarity Day, let us celebrate our unity in diversity. This is our strength. Let us all work together to defeat the forces that seek to divide us along religious, casteist lines, tweets Mamata Banerjee.

On International Human Solidarity Day, let us celebrate our unity in diversity. This is our strength. Let us all work together to defeat the forces that seek to divide us along religious, casteist lines

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 20, 2019

The Delhi Police has deployed 10 companies. Some people have been detained for spreading rumours and distributing pamphlets. Joint CP and all top officers will hold a flag march on Friday. There are 14 police stations in North East Delhi, Sonia Vihar and Harsh Vihar, and Section 14 has been imposed everywhere except for these.

Security tightened in North East Delhi; Joint CP Alok Kumar says,"Sufficient force has been deployed including 10 companies of CRPF&RAF in North east district. We've held many rounds of meeting with locals & deployed drones, anti-riot gear to deal with any kind of situation" #CAA pic.twitter.com/nfHyXGwXFB

— ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2019

The situation is improving. Want to thank the people of Assam who believe in peace and tranquillity. There is no political motive, it's a national commitment: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal

The miscreants have torched MLA's house, Union Minister Rameshwar Teli's house, panchayat offices, banks, other govt offices. Public property has been damaged by those agitating. Some outside force is linked to this agitation against CAA in Assam. Some people are misleading and not clarifying what CAA is and trying to create unrest. We are giving govt ads to clarify that Assamese will not be affected. I have asked organisations to come forward for table talks to resolve the issue. My secretary has extended an invite to groups and organisations objecting the CAA for talks. It is very clear, Assam will only remain for the Assamese. The principle is very simple. Those religiously prosecuted in Assam will be given citizenship, but that number will be minimum. You match my statement later: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal

You voted for us, you brought us to power. I'm here to protect the interest of the Assamese people. There are some who are trying to capture Assam and create unrest here. The PM has worked towards the development of Assam and has worked for the people of Assam.  Even Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the culture, language, tradition and ethnicity of Assamese people will be protected: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal

An SIT has been set up to investigate who all were behind this unrest in Assam. We will investigate case by case. We will take action against those trying to create unrest: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal

In no way will the honour of Assam be affected. We will always have the support of the people and will move forward with peace in the state.  I want to assure people that no one can steal rights of the sons of the soil of Assam, there is no threat to our language or our identity: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal

A special train (Train No.08960) will run from Santragachi in Howrah district of West Bengal to Silchar in Cachar district of Assam to clear stranded passengers. The train will leave Santragachi on December 20 at 10.30 am and reach Silchar at on December 21 at 5.15 pm. The train will consist of AC-2, AC-3, Sleeper and General Class: S.E.Railways

The entry and exit gates of all Delhi metro stations have been opened.  Normal services have resumed in all stations: DMRC

The mobile internet services have been restored in Assam after a span of 10 days. The services were snapped on December 11.

Mobile internet was snapped in Noida and Ghaziabad till 10 am on Friday. It was snapped on Thursday at 10 pm.

In wake of the proests, Road No. 13A between Mathura Road and Kalindi Kunj in Delhi has been closed for traffic movement. People coming from Noida have been advised to take the DND or Akshardham route to reach Delhi. Heavy traffic on Kalindi Kunj Bypass Road near Khader.