Anti-CAB stir: 3 die, 12 injured in police firing as Assam on boil

23:39 December 12

23:38 December 12

Death toll rises to three in Assam

Guwahati: At least three persons and 12 injured died due to bullet injuries on Thursday after police opened fire on protesters in Assam's Guwahati.

An official of the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital told media that one person was "brought dead" and another succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment.

According to sources, Dipanjal Das, believed to be an employee of Army canteen was injured in police firing in Lasithnagar of Guwahati. 

Later, he succumbed to injuries while taking treatment in Guwahati medical college hospital.

The other two protestors have died in Hatigaon area of Guhawati.

The state has been on edge as thousands of angry protesters came out on streets defying curfew, thumbing their nose at Army contingents staging flag marches, and clashing with police across cities. 

23:24 December 12

Mobile Internet suspension extended for 48 hours in 10 districts of Assam

Suspension of mobile Internet services was extended for another 48 hours on Thursday in 10 districts of Assam due to protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The mobile Internet will remain suspended for 48 hours more in the 10 districts of the state, Home Department Additional Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna said.

The administration had suspended mobile Internet services for 24 hours from 7 pm on Wednesday in ten districts of the state -- Lakhimpur, Tinsukia, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Kamrup (metro) and Kamrup. 

23:20 December 12

Assam: Army rescues passengers after mob attempts to set train afire

As thousands protested against the Citizenship Amendment Bill across Assam on Thursday, the Army said it rescued passengers of an express train from a mob trying to set the carriages on fire at Naharkatia railway
station.
An Army spokesperson said the mob had surrounded the Silchar-Dibrugarh Brahmaputra Express at Naharkatia and were in the process of setting it on fire, when security forces intervened.

The railway authorities requested for urgent help to save the passengers, he said.

"Responding immediately, Army and Assam Rifles columns which were on standby rushed to the spot. They immediately took charge of the situation, drove out the mob, managed to rescue the passengers to safety and provided urgent medical attention," he said.

23:19 December 12

Guwahati police chief replaced, senior officers transferred amid CAB protests in Assam

 In a major reshuffle, the Assam government on Thursday replaced the Guwahati Police commissioner and transferred several other senior officers, amid violent protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, officials said.

City police chief Deepak Kumar was posted as ADGP(Training and Armed Police) and Munna Prasad Gupta was appointed in his place, Commissioner and Secretary (Home and Political) Ashutosh Agnihotri told a news agency. Gupta was earlier posted as IGP (Training and Armed Police).

21:36 December 12

Except for some stray incidents, Tripura largely normal

Except for some stray incidents in three of its eight districts during the past 24 hours in Tripura, the situation was largely normal on Thursday after the agitation since Monday against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, officials said.

A senior police official said in Agartala that some elements burnt down a vehicle and a few shops in Dhalai district on Wednesday night.

"In a separate incident, some anti-CAB group people burnt down few shops in Taidu in Gomati district (in southern Tripura).

"Some people tried to create disturbances at a few places in Dhalai and North Tripura districts, but alert security forces dispersed them at once," the official told a news agency on condition of anonymity.

District Magistrates and Collectors of two troubled and mixed population districts - Dhalai and North Tripura -- said the situation was absolutely normal on Thursday.

21:10 December 12

BJP MLA Binod Hazarika's house vandalized by anti-Citizenship Amendment Bill protestors

BJP MLA Binod Hazarika on Thursday claimed that his residence in his constituency Chabua was attacked by anti-Citizenship Amendment Bill protestors who also vandalized his property.

Hazarika said that around 150 protestors destroyed household things, artefacts of his house and after that, they set ablaze the commodities outside the home.

The MLA said that no one from his family or house was injured in the incident.

The protestors were carrying swords and iron rods, claimed Hazarika.

20:48 December 12

Akhil Gogoi arrested from Jorhat district of Assam

Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) Akhil Gogoi arrested from Jorhat district of Assam. According to reports, Gogoi was arrested during a protest demonstration against the CAB.

20:20 December 12

Meghalaya govt shut down internet for 48 hrs

Meghalaya govt shut down internet for 48 hrs

The violent protests also spread to Meghalaya's capital Shillong on Thursday, a day after the Rajya Sabha passed the contentious bill. The administration has imposed a curfew in the city and has also shut down mobile internet for 48 hours.

19:46 December 12

CAB protests claims two lives in Assam

At least two persons died due to bullet injuries on Thursday after police opened fire on protesters in Assam's Guwahati, officials said. An official of the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital told a news agency that one person was "brought dead" and another succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment. The official, however, could not give their names, saying that "they were brought unidentified".

19:12 December 12

'Lathi-charge' inside the Prag news channel office

Defying the indefinite curfew clamped on the city, a fresh report coming out which claims of 'lathi-charge' inside the Prag news channel office in Guwahati.

According to the reports, several journalists injured during the 'lathi-charge'.

18:14 December 12

Stones thrown at Assam police chief's convoy in Guwahati

Stones were thrown at Assam Police chief Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta's convoy on Thursday when he was touring the city, ravaged by violent protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
The cavalcade was on the Guwahati-Shillong Road near Christian Basti where it was attacked. Stones were thrown at several vehicles in the convoy that was on its way from the
Secretariat.

The convoy had to stop several times as the entire stretch was blocked by protesters who put up wooden structures and iron barricades.

When the vehicles stopped in the Christian Basti area and security personnel were clearing the road, some protesters threw stones. No one was hurt and no damage occurred.
Stones also hit the vehicle of this PTI journalist who was at the spot. 

17:18 December 12

CAB protestors defy curfew, AASU holds public meeting

Defying the indefinite curfew clamped on the city, thousands of people converged at the Latasil Playground in the heart of the city on Thursday to take part in a protest meeting by All Assam Students Union (AASU), which is spearheading the agitation against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill.

Eminent litterateurs, artistes, prominent citizens, lawyers, students and common people came from all parts of the city to participate in the meeting held also by Silpi Samaj (artistes forum) and took out a protest rally against the CAB.

17:15 December 12

Protestors vandalise AGP headquarters in Guwahati

Headquarters of the Assam Gono Parishad in the city's Ambari area was attacked on Thursday by people protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, police said.

The protestors went inside the building, located on the Gopinath Bordoloi Road in the heart of the city, and smashed a few window panes and damaged the property, they said.

Several vehicles, including those of the police, parked outside the building were also vandalised, they added.

Officials said police then had to baton-charge the agitators. Several teargas shells were also lobbed.

16:58 December 12

All trains from Guwahati to upper Assam region cancelled

All trains from Guwahati towards upper Assam region have been cancelled, according to the Chief Public Relation Officer (CPRO), North-East Frontier Railway, as anti-Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) protests continue to rock the state and other states in the North-East.

16:41 December 12

13 flights cancelled at Guwahati Airport

Sanjeev Jindal, Regional Executive Director, Airports Authority Of India, Regional HQ, Guwahati: 13 flights have been cancelled at Guwahati Airport; 178 passengers who were stuck at Dibrugarh Airport were brought to Guwahati via an IndiGo flight.

15:26 December 12

Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has cancelled his visit to India. He was scheduled to visit the country from December 12-14.

15:25 December 12

Stranded passengers at Dibrugarh airport evacuated in phased manner, says civil aviation ministry

The civil aviation ministry on Thursday said movement of passengers at Dibrugarh airport in Assam has been disrupted due to blockage of road transportation to and from the aerodrome.

The stranded passengers have been evacuated in a phased manner, the ministry said in a series of tweets.

14:55 December 12

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal:

"I appeal to the people to maintain peace and not be misled"

14:40 December 12

Mukesh Agrawal, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) (law and order), Assam has been transferred and posted as ADGP (CID), Assam

14:36 December 12

BJP's office in Majuli vandalised by CAB protesters

14:17 December 12

New Police Chief appointed as CAB protests intensify in Guwahati

Guwahati Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar removed amid CAB protests; Munna Prasad Gupta new city police chief 

13:22 December 12

Here are the latest updates from the state: 

• Unrest in Assam, following the passage of CAB in the RS on Wednesday
• Schools in Golaghat to remain shut for the next three days
• Internet suspended at 10 districts in the state
• All Assam Students' Association (AASU) along with civil society organisations stage protests
• Police resorted to lathi-charge as well as open fire at protesters
• Reporters unable to provide visuals due to the internet ban

13:07 December 12

BCCI clarifies Tripura Ranji Trophy game continues

Day four proceedings of the Ranji Trophy game between Assam and Services in Guwahati were on Thursday suspended due to the curfew imposed in the city following protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

The hosts were in the middle of their series-opener against the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB). However, after stating that the game in Tripura -- between the hosts and Jharkhand -- was also suspended, the BCCI clarified that this match was going ahead as scheduled despite the protests in Agartala.

12:19 December 12

Anti-CAB protests in Assam: Police open fire on protesters

Police opened fire to disperse protesters at Lalungaonn area on Thursday in which some persons were reportedly injured, a senior police officer said.

The officer claimed that the protesters hurled stones and bricks at the policemen and when attempts to pacify them did not deter the mob, the security personnel opened fire at them.

11:59 December 12

Several flights from Kolkata to Northeast cancelled

Several private airlines have cancelled flights from Kolkata to Assam and other Northeastern states on Thursday in the wake of anti-CAB protests. 

Not all but some private operators have cancelled their flights to Assam and other northeastern states since Thursday morning, a senior official of Kolkata airport said.

11:55 December 12

All train services to Tripura, Assam suspended; 12 companies of RPSF dispatched: Railways

Railways has suspended all passenger train services in Tripura and Assam and short-terminated long distance trains to the region to Guwahati following protests in the two states over the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Parliament, a railway spokesperson told

11:11 December 12

Curfew called to bring normalcy: CP

Commissioner of Police, Dipak Kumar, in a conversation with ETV Bharat said the curfew will last as long as normalcy is not restored. 

He stated the reason behind the curfew was to curb any sort of 'anti-social behaviour' by the protestors. He also said the public faced a lot of inconvenience due to the protests earlier. 

He further appealed to the public for cooperation during the curfew hours. 

11:09 December 12

Army Deployment in Aid to Civil Authority

Five Army Columns have been requisitioned and deployed in Assam while three have been sent to Tripura. 

10:47 December 12

Day four of Ranji Trophy games in Assam and Tripura suspended due to curfew

Day four proceedings of the Ranji Trophy games in Guwahati and Agartala were on Thursday suspended due to the curfew imposed in the region following protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

Hosts Assam were in the middle of their series-opener against Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) while Tripura were facing Jharkhand.

"We have been advised by the state association not to go ahead with the game. Players have been asked to remain in the hotel. The players' safety is paramount," BCCI GM Cricket Operations Saba Karim said. 

"Whether the game will be replayed or the points will be shared. We will take a call on that later," he added. 

10:44 December 12

Want to assure brothers, sisters of Assam they have nothing to worry after CAB passage: PM

Against the backdrop of violent protests in Assam opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the people of the state on Thursday that they have nothing to worry about the new law.

In a series of tweets, in both Assamese and English, the prime minister said he personally and the Central government are "totally committed to constitutionally safeguard the political, linguistic, cultural and land rights of the Assamese people as per the spirit of Clause 6."

10:24 December 12

Due to prevailing situation in Assam, Indigo flights to/from Dibrugarh are cancelled for today (12th Dec, 2019). 

Passengers can choose an alternate flight or get a refund.

09:49 December 12

CAB: People defy curfew in Guwahati, Army conducts flag march

Guwahati: The people defied curfew in Guwahati on Thursday morning to protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill as the situation remained tense throughout Assam, with the Army conducting flag march in the city.

Guwahati, the epicentre of anti-CAB protests, was placed under indefinite curfew last night while the Army was called in at four places and Assam Rifles personnel were deployed in Tripura on Wednesday as the two northeastern states plunged into chaos over the hugely emotive Citizenship (Amendment) Bill or CAB.

All Assam Student's Union has called for a protest at 11 am in Guwahati.

Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti appealed to the people to come out on the road for peaceful protest.

The people were on the road in the night despite curfew.

Army conducted a flag march in the city on Thursday morning. Vehicles were stranded in various cities of Assam due to heavy blockade. Half-a dozen vehicles were burnt. The houses of BJP and AGP leaders were attacked in various parts of the state.

"Curfew is on till further orders, We are monitoring the situation very closely. So far the situation is under control,' Assam Police Additional Director General (Law and Order) Mukesh Agrawal said.

An RSS official said that the organisation's office in Dibrugarh, Sadya and Tezpur were attacked. The BJP office in Tezpur was also attacked.

Late in the night, curfew was also imposed in Dibrugarh for an indefinite period as protesters targeted the houses of Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Union minister Rameswar Teli in the district.

As tens of thousands of anti-CAB protesters descended on the streets of Assam on Wednesday, clashing with police and plunging the state into chaos of a magnitude unseen since the violent six-year movement by students that ended with the signing of the Assam accord, Guwahati was placed under curfew.

Assam has been on the boil ever since the CAB was tabled in Lok Sabha.

The contentious Bill which seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, was passed by Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Lok Sabha cleared the Bill on Monday. 

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