Activists of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) party take part in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 proposal to provide citizenship or stay rights to minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan in India, in Guwahati. — AFP photo
NEW DELHI: Protests broke out yesterday in India’s northeastern state of Assam during a shutdown called against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016.
The 12-hour statewide shutdown called by more than 40 organisations, and protests called by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, oppose the government’s decision to make amendments in the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016, in the upcoming winter session of the parliament.
According to Xinhua news agency, the Congress party also supports the shutdown.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who entered India before Dec 31, 2014.
Supporters of the shutdown fear the bill would reduce the indigenous communities into a minority.
Authorities have deployed security statewide to maintain “law and order”.
Protesters yesterday tried to set up blockades on railway tracks and disrupt train services across Assam as part of the 12-hour statewide shutdown.
The police evicted demonstrators who were trying to prevent train movement by squatting on tracks and chased out protesters who lit bonfires of used tyres on roads at various places.
Reports said police escorts were being provided to public transport vehicles to ensure transport plies normally.
A local government minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said the Gauhati High Court had ruled that calling a ‘bandh’ (general strike) was an illegal act and so the statewide ‘bandh’ yesterday could not be allowed as it was tantamount to contempt of court. — Bernama