Hundreds held as protests over Citizenship Bill continue

GUWAHATI: Activists of 70 organisations led by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) attempted to storm the Assam secretariat here as protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill continued in various parts of the state on Wednesday.

Over 100 members and supporters of the united forum of ethnic and minority organisations were detained by police in the state capital following scuffles between police and protesters.

“Now that the government has passed the citizenship bill in the Lok Sabha, crushing all aspirations and democratic voices of the people, we won’t allow Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enter Assam. None of the Union ministers from the BJP or the party chief will be allowed to hold public meetings,” KMSS adviser Akhil Gogoi told mediapersons.

A fraternity of artists took out a torch light rally in the city in the evening. Lending their voices to songs of protest and holding black flags, citizens from various parts also joined the protest rally.

In Tripura, the government banned SMS and internet services, including broadband, across the state till Thursday to prevent escalation of violence. In West Tripura’s Madhav Bari area where at least 23 people were injured, including six in police firing on Tuesday, prohibitory orders have been clamped for an indefinite period.