Citizenship Amendment Bill protests LIVE Updates: At least three people have died due to bullet injuries on Thursday after police opened fire on protesters in Assam's Guwahati, reports said. An official of the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital told PTI 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'.

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Curfew has been imposed in Guwahati for an indefinite period, while mobile internet and data services have been suspended in ten districts including Dibrugarh, Jorhat and Lakhinpur, till 7 pm Thursday, amid violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, across the state.

The Muslim party might raise the issue, where one cannot differentiate between a migrant on the basis of religion. Therefore, their argument could be that Citizenship Bill has no reasonable classification and breached the Article 14.

"The Article 14 which is guaranteed under the Indian constitution, is not just confined only to the citizens of India. Once a person, whether he/she is a citizen or not, has entered into the territory of India is entitled to the right under Article 14, which is right to equality," said Anand.

According to CNN-News18 legal editor Utkarsh Anand, the line of argument in their petition would be the breaching of Article 14, equality before the law and the right against discrimination.

As the mercurial debate on the Citizenship Amendment Bill culminated in the passing of the controversial legislation in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MPs will file a writ petition against the Bill in the Supreme Court today, reported News18.

Meanwhile, airlines SpiceJet and GoAir are offering full refund and waiver of cancellation fee for all flights to/from Guwahati and Dibrugarh for travel till 13 December.

Speaking to News18 Assam North East, IPS officer APS Tiwari urged people to stay in their homes and refrain from violent protests. "Curfew is in place in Guwahati. I hope people will stay in their homes with their families. Yesterday public property was massively destroyed. Help us secure Guwahati by staying in your homes so that no one can cause arson by burning hotels, buses, cars and shops," said Tiwari.

"I want to assure them – no one can take away your rights, unique identity and beautiful culture. It will continue to flourish and grow."

As tens of thousands of protesters against the CAB descended on the streets of Assam clashing with police on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to "assure" the people of the state that they have nothing to worry about.

In lieu of unrest in Assam following the passage of Citizenship Amendment Bill, services of 21 passenger trains in the Nort-East frontier railways has been suspended.

The Ranji Trophy matches for the 86th season in Assam and Tripura have been suspended following the clashes between police and civilians and the curfew imposed after the passage of Citizenship Bill.

An Indian Super League football between Northeast United FC and Chennaiyin FC to be held in Guwahati has been postponed amid violent protests.

Four protestors were wounded and one was in a serious condition after being hit on the head by a bullet after police personnel opened fire at protestors in Assam's Lalung Gaon, reported News18. The incident happened in Lakhra, where protestors pelted stones and uprooted street lights.

Protestors burnt an effigy of Assam's finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati, with one of the agitators accusing him of turning Assam into Kashmir. Protests against the imposition of Section 144 by the Assam administration in several districts, including Sonitpur, Lakhimpur and Tinsukia.

In response to Narendra Modi's tweet assuring the people of Assam that their rights, identity and culture will be preserved, the Congress responded that the message cannot reach the North Eastern state amid an internet shutdown there. "Our brothers and sisters in Assam cannot read your 'reassuring' message Modi ji. In case you've forgotten, their internet has been cut off," the Congress tweeted.

A railway station in Dibrugarh's Chabua, the hometown of the Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, was set on fire by protestors late Wednesday night and the Panitola railway station in Tinsukia district torched, 12 companies of the Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) have been dispatched to the region.

Northeast Frontier Railway spokesperson Subhanan Chanda said many passengers are stranded in Kamakhya and Guwahati.

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

Amid violent protests in various regions of Assam, the boundary wall of Union Minister and BJP MP Rameshwar Teli's house in Dibrugarh was damaged. He added that his uncle's shop was set on fire. "I am an Assamese and will not do anything that may hurt the people of Assam. I want to assure everyone that Citizenship Amendment Bill that has been passed will not affect the culture and language of Assam," Teli said.

People have violated the curfew in Guwahati in large numbers and have assembled at the Latasil ground to protest the Citizenship Amendment Bill. "Delhi is playing a dirty game. They have asked Assam Police to hit people in Assam. Assamese cops are beating up Assamese people. Isn't it natural that people will protest today? They have imposed curfew as if it is Kashmir," said actor Barsha Rani Bishaya, who came out defying the curfew. AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya said that third party criminal elements have incited violence amid the otherwise peaceful protests. "The protesters have to be alert so that no unscrupulous infiltrate into the protest. BJP has the numbers so they passed the Bill and impose it. We can only protest democratically," he said.

Protesters burnt tyres on the streets at Hengrabari in Guwahati flouting the prohibitory orders under Section 144. Additionally, a lathi charge was reported in Guwahati's Ganeshguri, where male cops were reportedly hitting women protestors. Meanwhile, protesters gather in thousands in front of Deputy Commissioner's office in Jorhat.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi hit back, saying Congress was instigating violence in the region and the government condemns it. After Joshi's remarks, Congress members walked out of the proceedings.

The offices of the BJP and Asom Gana Parishad were attacked in Assam's Majuli district as protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill continued. The Centre accused the Congress of instigating violence in the Northeast. During Zero Hour, Congress' Adhir Chowdhury raised the issue of violence in parts of the Northeast, saying the entire region was in flames barring a few places.

Amid protests in Assam over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal appealed to the people of the state to maintain peace. Speaking to ANI, Sonowal also urged the people to not get "misled" on the Bill. He said that the CAB is a national-level bill and the people of Assam don't need to be afraid of it. "I appeal to the people to maintain peace and not get misled", the chief minister said.

"There was never public interest in the dictionary of Congress and its allies, they always worked for self interest, family interest. This is the reason why this Dhanbad sitting on black gold and the whole area is richer than the wealth, the more poverty remained here," Modi further added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing an election rally in Jharkhand's Dhanbad urged citizens of North East to "have faith" in "servant Modi." "Today, I appeal to the North-East and especially to the brothers and sisters of Assam and young colleagues from this platform to have faith in your servant Modi. I will not let any tradition of North-East brothers and sisters bear language and culture." Modi's statements came amid widespread protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill in northeastern states.

An Air India spokesperson said that only its flights between Kolkata and Dibrugarh have been cancelled. A GoAir spokesperson said the airline has cancelled flights to Assam on Thursday.

In a tweet, Vistara said it has cancelled flights "as per government advice due to current disturbances in Assam". "Flight UK725 (IXB-DIB) and UK726 (DIB-IXB) are cancelled for today. We are offering free change/cancellation to Guwahati and Dibrugarh flights through Sunday, 15 December," it said.

With respect to the ongoing unrest situation in Assam, a few Guwahati and Dibrugarh-bound flights have been cancelled on Thursday, an IndiGo spokesperson said in a statement. "We are operating relief flights at capped fares for passengers who are currently at these locations," the statement said. The airline has waived rescheduling/cancellation for passengers travelling to and from Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Jorhat till 13 December.

IndiGo, Vistara, Air India, SpiceJet and GoAir are among the carriers that have cancelled their flights to various cities in Assam amid the unrest over the Citizenship Amendment Bill.

Left parties will hold a protest against Citizenship Amendment Bill and National Register of Citizens (NRC) across the country on 19 December. Meanwhile, Union Minister Jitendra Singh called statements made by Rahul Gandhi against the Bill misleading. He said that the Congress leader's statements are an attempt to "fish in troubled waters of Brahmaputra and trying to seek crutches of some of disgruntled elements to revive their fortune."

The BCCI corrected its earlier statement about the Ranji matches in Tripura and Assam being cancelled due to the protests in the region over the Citizenship Amendment Bill. The cricket body said that the match between Tripura and Jharkhand is underway in Agartala. The Indian Super League match between Northeast United FC and Chennaiyin FC to be held in Guwahati was also postponed.

Guwahati police commissioner Deepak Kumar was removed from his position and will be replaced by Munna Prasad Gupta. A 1995 batch IPS officer of the Assam Meghalaya cadre, Munna Prasad Gupta was earlier given extension in the central deputation tenure as IG in SPG for the period from 21 February, 2018 to 15 September, 2019. Four Deputy Commissioners of Police have been transferred too

The advisory reiterated that all TV channels are advised to be particularly cautious with regard to any content that is likely to encourage or incite violence, contains anything against maintenance of law and order or promotes "anti-national attitudes". It also cautioned against content having anything affecting the integrity of the nation.

he advisory was issued after some television channels aired footage of violent protests in the Northeast against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill that was passed by Parliament.

The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued an advisory to private satellite television channels to be particularly cautious about airing content that is likely to incite violence, promote "anti-national attitudes" and contain anything affecting the integrity of the nation.

Despite the imposition of a curfew, lawlessness prevailed in Guwahati’s GS Road and Ganeshguri areas.​ Lathicharge and firing by the police were reported at GS Road, even as Army helicopters hovered over Guwahati to observe the security situation from the skies. Firing by cops was also reported in the city’s Lakhra area.

Internet services were suspended at 7 pm on Wednesday amid massive protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

Suspension of internet services in ten districts of Assam was extended for 48 hours on Thursday, beginning 12 pm, to prevent "misuse" of social media to disturb peace and tranquility, and to maintain law and order, officials said.

Stone pelting was reported at the residence of Nagaon MLA Rupak Sarmah in Assam, while protestors surrounded the Guwahati residence of Rajya Sabha BJP MP Bhubaneswar Kalita's house.​ Borsola MLA Ganesh Limbu's house was also surrounded by protesters. Additionally, Actor Jatin Bora quit the BJP after intense public pressure.

He added that the unrest in north-eastern states indicates that India is heading for a second freedom struggle.

Talking to reporters, Congress' Goa unit spokesman Trajano D'Mello said Christian ministers in the Pramod Sawant-led state government should also explain their stand on the bill within 48 hours, or else their silence would be interpreted as their support to it. "So many Goans opted for Portuguese passport because the government (here) has failed to provide them employment. The only purpose to get Portuguese passport wasto survive," he said, wondering what would be their fate.

A day after passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament, the Goa Congress sought to know what would be the fate of Goans who opted for a Portuguese passport.

Even as Assam witnesses violent protests, sources told CNN-News18 that preparations for the summit to be held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe in Guwahati. Abe is slated to attend an annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Assam’s Guwahati on 15 to 16 December. As per the schedule, the two leaders will reportedly visit Manipur after attending the two-day summit in Guwahati. They will visit the India Peace Memorial at Maibam Lotpa Ching in Bishnupur district and pay tribute to Japanese soldiers who were killed in Manipur during World War II.

In Assam's Chabua, BJP MLA Binod Hazarika's residence was set ablaze by anti-Citizenship Amendment Bill protestors, PTI reported, quoting officials.​ Additonally, vehicles and the circle office were torched by protestors. Meanwhile, five companies of the Assam rifles were deployed in Assam and three in Tripura to assist the Central Armed Police Forces in controlling the law and order situation.

In a meeting of the unified command, presided over by the Chief Secretary, it was decided that the Indian Army will take charge of the security situation in Assam, which has seen violent protests since the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill by the Parliament.

Amid violent protests all over Assam, a curfew was imposed in Tinsukia for 24 hours and in Jorhat for 12 hours. Section 144 was imposed by the Assam administration in several districts, including Sonitpur, Lakhimpur and Tinsukia.

The CAB seeks to extend citizenship to "persecuted minorities" from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Kumar said, "He has given his explanation on cancelling his visit. Our relationship is strong. As leaders of both the countries have said, "this is the golden age of our relations."

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, in his weekly media briefing on Thursday, said that the relations between India and Bangladesh were still "very strong", even as the neighbour's foreign minister cancelled his visit to India. The development comes one day after the Parliament passed the Citizenship Amendment Bill, a legislation that Bangladesh had expressed concerns about, in addition to the NRC exercise.

As Assam continues to see violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, the government has ordered that all schools across the state should be shut till 22 December, CNN-News18 reported.

In response, Raveesh echoed the "golden chapter" line by top officials of both governments and said, "There seems to be some confusion. We've explained that religious persecution are not happening under present government. Migrants who have sought refuge in India from Bangladesh have faced persecution&abuse on religious grounds."

On Tuesday, Momen was quoted by The Dhaka Tribune as saying, "What they are saying in regards to torture on Hindus is unwarranted as well as untrue. There are very few countries in the world where communal harmony is as good as in Bangladesh. We have no minorities. We are all equal. If he [Amit Shah] stayed in Bangladesh for a few months, he would see the exemplary communal harmony in our country.”

Reacting to Bangladesh foreign minister AK Abdul Momen's comments on India's stand on illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Thursday said that "there seemed to be some confusion" on India's rationale behind the Citizenship Amendment Bill.

Several vehicles, including those of the police, parked outside the building were also vandalised, the report said. Officials said police then had to baton-charge the agitators. Several teargas shells were also lobbed.

Headquarters of the Assam Gana Parishad in the city's Ambari area was attacked on Thursday by people protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Bill. 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, PTI quoted the police as saying.

Munna Prasad Gupta, Inspector General of Police (Training and Armed Police), Assam is substantively posted as Inspector General of Police (Training and Armed Police) for the purpose of drawal of salary etc and is allowed to function as Police Commissioner, Guwahati as additional charge.

Deepak Kumar, who was substantively posted as ADGP (Special Branch) and allowed to function as Police Commissioner,Guwahati is transferred and posted as Addl Director General of Police (Training and Armed Police), Assam. He's also posted as ADGP (STF), as additional charge.

At least four deputy commissioners of police and 14 superintendents of police were transferred out of the Brahmaputra Valley in Assam in light of the increasingly violent protests in the state over the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, reports said on Thursday.

The Assam government suspended mobile internet and data services of all service providers for 24 hours starting 7 pm Wednesday in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Kamrup (Metro) and Kamrup districts, according to a notification issued by the government.

Sources said that another incident of firing occurred in Assam's Golaghat amid violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill on Thursday.

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 personnels were clearing the road, some protesters threw stones. No one was hurt and no damage occurred.

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.

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.

Santanu Bharali's residence was also vandalised by protesters. He is the legal adviser to the Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

The residence of Angoorlata Deka, who is BJP MLA from Assam's Batadroba constituency, was vandalised by protesters on Thursday, as violent agitations against the Citizenship Amendment Bill continued for the third consecutive day.

The BJP office in Jorhat was also gheraod by protesters, sources said.

An incident of firing occurred outside the residence of Tapan Gogoi, BJP MP from Jorhat in Assam. The state, in addition to Tripura, has seen violent protests for three consecutive days over the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill. The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Curfew has been imposed in Guwahati for an indefinite period, while mobile internet and data services been suspended in ten districts including Dibrugarh, Jorhat and Lakhinpur, till 7 pm Thursday.

However, on Thursday, Twitterati were equally quick to respond to the prime minister's tweet assuring the people of Assam even as the northeastern state, along with its sister state Tripura, witnessed mob violence and police action in the past 24 to 48 hours after Parliament passed the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is quick to tweet condolences, birthday wishes and comment on crucial events across the world.

"CAB is unconstitutional. The central government is trying to divide India on religious lines. This is a move to sabotage equality and secularism," he said.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday echoed West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's resistance to the Citizenship Amendment Bill and said that Kerala wouldn't accept it.

Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assurance earlier in the day to the people of Assam, the epicentre of the anti-CAB protests, that their culture and rights would not be affected, Azad said assurances don't really matter when people are being "killed".

The Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha said the Congress has been trying to highlight that the bill "violated" constitutional provisions and the government was "suppressing" the voice of people from the northeast.

Terming the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) passed by Parliament as "unconstitutional", senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday said that the entire northeast is "burning" in protest against the legislation, and what is happening in the region is a repeat of what happened in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mukhi said the approval of the Bill by Parliament has shown that the Centre is committed to taking remedial steps, including implementation of the Clause VI of the Assam Accord to safeguard the culture, ethos, language, along with other rights of the indigenous people.

In a statement, Mukhi urged them to maintain restraint as they have always shown patience and political maturity in the past. "If the student community has any issues against the government they have every right to agitate but they should do it in a democratic and peaceful manner, without taking the law in their hands," he said.

Governor Jagdish Mukhi on Thursday appealed to the people to maintain peace in Assam, the hotbed of protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill.

The state is facing violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill for the third consecutive day on Thursday.

One person has succumbed to a bullet injury in Assam due to the violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill on Thursday, sources said. The Chaygaon resident was reportedly injured in Lachit Nagar and was admitted to the Guwahati Medical College.

The police appealed the playcard-carrying protesters to disperse but to no avail.

A motley group of protesters gathered at the India Gate here protesting against the "divisive" Citizenship Amendment Bill which passed the Rajya Sabha hurdle on Wednesday. The protesters raised anti-BJP and anti-government slogans and asked the President not to sign the Bill into a law.

In addition to one casualty in the Assam protests against Citizenship Amendment Bill on Thursday, sources said that two others were also wounded.

A curfew has been imposed in Meghalaya's Shillong and SMS and internet services have been suspended across the state for 48 hours starting from 5 pm on Thursday.

On Thursday, he said, "The Citizenship Amendment Bill is against the spirit of Constitution. As Civil Disobedience Movement, I have decided to not attend office."

Abdur Rahman, a special IGP in Mumbai, issued his resignation on Wednesdat after the Citizenship Amendment Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha.

The protest at the university's Art Faculty was called by various students' bodies, including the Left-backed All India Students' Association (AISA) and Students' Federation of India, and autonomous women students' collective Pinjra Tod, under the banner of Collective-DU. Other organisations and students from Assam also took part in the demonstration.

Delhi University students burnt copies of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill here on Thursday as part of a protest against the proposed legislation which they dubbed as "unconstitutional" and "communal".

Students of the Presidency University in Kolkata staged a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, even as violent protests continued in Assam for the third consecutive day. The contentious legislation was passed by Parliament on Wednesday.

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

An official of the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital told PTI 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".

At least three people have died due to bullet injuries on Thursday after police opened fire on protesters in Assam's Guwahati, reports said.

Army and fire tenders were rushed and they doused the flames without much damage.

A bus terminus of the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) in Dibrugarh was set ablaze by protestors on Thursday, PTI reported. A large number of people reached the ASTC terminus at the Chowkidingi area of the city and vandalised the complex and set it on fire.

Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti president Akhil gogoi has been arrested in Assam's Jorhat as violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill continued on Thursday.

The police appealed the playcard-carrying protesters to disperse but to no avail.

A motley group of protesters gathered at the India Gate here protesting against the "divisive" Citizenship Amendment Bill which passed the Rajya Sabha hurdle on Wednesday. The protesters raised anti-BJP and anti-government slogans and asked the President not to sign the Bill into a law.

In addition to one casualty in the Assam protests against Citizenship Amendment Bill on Thursday, sources said that two others were also wounded.

A curfew has been imposed in Meghalaya's Shillong and SMS and internet services have been suspended across the state for 48 hours starting from 5 pm on Thursday.

Abdur Rahman, Special IGP in Mumbai: #CitizenshipAmendmentBill is against the spirit of Constitution. As Civil Disobedience Movement, I have decided to not attend office. Either my application for VRS should be accepted or my letter should be accepted as my letter of resignation. pic.twitter.com/AvPVVedRrk

On Thursday, he said, "The Citizenship Amendment Bill is against the spirit of Constitution. As Civil Disobedience Movement, I have decided to not attend office."

Abdur Rahman, a special IGP in Mumbai, issued his resignation on Wednesdat after the Citizenship Amendment Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha.

The protest at the university's Art Faculty was called by various students' bodies, including the Left-backed All India Students' Association (AISA) and Students' Federation of India, and autonomous women students' collective Pinjra Tod, under the banner of Collective-DU. Other organisations and students from Assam also took part in the demonstration.

Delhi University students burnt copies of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill here on Thursday as part of a protest against the proposed legislation which they dubbed as "unconstitutional" and "communal".

Students of the Presidency University in Kolkata staged a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, even as violent protests continued in Assam for the third consecutive day. The contentious legislation was passed by Parliament on Wednesday.

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

An official of the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital told PTI 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".

At least three people have died due to bullet injuries on Thursday after police opened fire on protesters in Assam's Guwahati, reports said.

Army and fire tenders were rushed and they doused the flames without much damage.

A bus terminus of the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) in Dibrugarh was set ablaze by protestors on Thursday, PTI reported. A large number of people reached the ASTC terminus at the Chowkidingi area of the city and vandalised the complex and set it on fire.

After being in politics for 30 long years, we have learnt a lot, and it’s our responsibility to honour the sensibilities of the younger generation. At last, as a Speaker of the Assembly, I appeal to all stakeholders to maintain calm across the state.

Therefore, with regards to the CAB, sensing the anger of the people of Assam, particularly among the youth, I appeal to both the Central Government and the State Government to take necessary steps to address the problems of the people immediately and seriously.

Apart from shouldering the constitutional responsibilities as a Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly, I am also responsible for all-round development of my constituency, and even after being a Speaker, I can not be above the people.

Apart from being the constitutional head of the Assembly, I am also the representative of the people of Jorhat Legislative Assembly constituency. When I got elected as the Speaker of the House, I raised myself above party politics and conducted the house in an impartial way. And because of my role, I can not be part of party politics.

Anticipating that the implementation of the Bill will cause unrest among different tribal and linguistic groups of Assam, I, in last January when the Lok Sabha had adopted the Bill on 9 January 2019, had expressed in a statement that as a citizen and bipartisan observer that anything that will cause unrest and division among the citizens of Assam, particularly the indigenous people, is not something that my conscience allows me to support. That was my then, that is my stand today and will remain the same in the future.

"Yesterday, the Parliament of India accorded constitutional status to the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 by passing it in the Rajya Sabha. As the Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly and being in a constitutional position, it’s not appropriate for me to comment on a law passed by the Parliament of India, but as a revolutionary and participant of the Assam agitation, I believe that the fear and misunderstanding caused by the Bill is not negligible.

Speaker of the Assam Assembly, Hitendra Nath Goswami, issued a statement on Thursday as violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill continued in the state.

Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti president Akhil gogoi has been arrested in Assam's Jorhat as violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill continued on Thursday.

Citizenship Amendment Bill protests LATEST Updates: At least three people have died due to bullet injuries on Thursday after police opened fire on protesters in Assam's Guwahati, reports said. An official of the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital told PTI 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".

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

A curfew has been imposed in Meghalaya's Shillong and SMS and internet services have been suspended across the state for 48 hours starting from 5 pm on Thursday, sources said.

One person has succumbed to a bullet injury in Assam due to the violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill on Thursday, sources said. The Chaygaon resident was reportedly injured in Lachit Nagar and was admitted to the Guwahati Medical College.

The state is facing violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill for the third consecutive day on Thursday.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday echoed West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's resistance to the Citizenship Amendment Bill and said that Kerala wouldn't accept it.

"CAB is unconstitutional. The central government is trying to divide India on religious lines. This is a move to sabotage equality and secularism," he said.

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 personnels were clearing the road, some protesters threw stones. No one was hurt and no damage occurred.

(PTI)

Artist Papon Angaraag on Thursday said he had cancelled his concert in Delhi due to the violent protests over the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Assam and Tripura.

He said, "Dear Delhi. I am very sorry but I have decided not to do the concert tomorrow at ‘imperfectoshor’ as planned! My home state Assam is burning, crying and under curfew! I won’t be able to entertain you the way I should in my present state of mind!"

"I know this is unfair on you as you had bought tickets and planned long ahead. I am sure the organizers will take care of that in someway and as promised I’ll see you all on another day in future! I hope you will understand!" he added.

Amid violent protests all over Assam, a curfew was imposed in Tinsukia for 24 hours and in Jorhat for 12 hours. Section 144 was imposed by the Assam administration in several districts, including Sonitpur, Lakhimpur and Tinsukia.

In a meeting of the unified command, presided over by the Chief Secretary, it was decided that the Indian Army will take charge of the security situation in Assam, which has seen violent protests since the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill by the Parliament.

In Assam's Chabua, BJP MLA Binod Hazarika's residence was set ablaze by anti-Citizenship Amendment Bill protestors, PTI reported, quoting officials.​ Additonally, vehicles and the circle office were torched by protestors.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has cancelled his visit to India, scheduled for 12 to 14 December. This comes amid Bangladesh raising strong objections against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. "I had to cancel my trip to New Delhi as I have to participate in the 'Buddijibi Debosh' and 'Bijoy Debosh' and more so as our State Minister is out of the country in Madrid and our Foreign Secretary is in the Hague," Momen told ANI.

Stone pelting was reported at the residence of Nagaon MLA Rupak Sarmah in Assam, while protestors surrounded the Guwahati residence of Rajya Sabha BJP MP Bhubaneswar Kalita's house.​Borsola MLA Ganesh Limbu's house was also surrounded by protesters.

Closure of schools in Biswanath till 14 December and in Guwahati till 22 December was ordered by the administration.

Internet has been suspended in Assam for another 48 hours effective from 12 pm on Thursday amid violent protests in the state against the Citizenship Amendment Bill.

The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued an advisory to private satellite television channels to be particularly cautious about airing content that is likely to incite violence, promote "anti-national attitudes" and contain anything affecting the integrity of the nation.

Top SPG officer Munna Prasad Gupta has replaced Deepak Kumar as the Guwahati police commissioner, even as violent protests are being witnessed in Assam. A 1995 batch IPS officer of the Assam Meghalaya cadre, Gupta was earlier given extension in the central deputation tenure as IG in SPG for the period from 21 February, 2018 to 15 September, 2019.



Meanwhile, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma will meet Home Minister Amit Shah at 8 pm.

As protests gained intensity in the North East, protestors burnt down a police vehicle in Assam's Tezpur. The agitators were lathi charged by paramilitary forces. Amid protests in Assam over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal appealed to the people of the state to maintain peace.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing an election rally in Jharkhand's Dhanbad urged citizens of North East to "have faith" in "servant Modi." "Today, I appeal to the North-East and especially to the brothers and sisters of Assam and young colleagues from this platform to have faith in your servant Modi. I will not let any tradition of North-East brothers and sisters bear language and culture." Modi's statements came amid widespread protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill in northeastern states.

The Centre accused the Congress of instigating violence in the North East. During Zero Hour, Congress' Adhir Chowdhury raised the issue of violence in parts of the Northeast, to which Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the Congress was instigating violence in the region and the government condemned it. After Joshi's remarks, Congress members walked out of the proceedings.

Protestors have allegedly attacked the BJP and Asom Gana Parishad offices in Assam's Majuli district, while in Guwahati, people have violated the curfew and have assembled in large numbers at the Latasil ground to protest the Citizenship Amendment Bill.

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, a railway spokesperson told PTI. Northeast Frontier Railway spokesperson Subhanan Chanda said many passengers are stranded in Kamakhya and Guwahati.

In response to Narendra Modi's tweet assuring the people of Assam that their rights, identity and culture will be preserved, the Congress responded that the message cannot reach the North Eastern state amid an internet shutdown there.

Amid widespread protests across the North East, four protestors were wounded and one was in a serious condition after being hit on the head by a bullet after police personnel opened fire at protestors in Assam's Lalung Gaon. In Guwahati, protestors burnt an effigy of Assam's finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, with one of the agitators accusing him of turning Assam into Kashmir.

The Ranji Trophy matches for the 86th season in Assam and Tripura have been suspended after the passage of Citizenship Bill. In lieu of unrest in Assam, services of 21 passenger trains in the North East frontier railways have been suspended. Additionally, an Indian Super League football between Northeast United FC and Chennaiyin FC to be held in Guwahati has been postponed amid violent protests.

As tens of thousands of protesters against the CAB descended on the streets of Assam clashing with police on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to "assure" the people of the state that they have nothing to worry about.

"I want to assure them – no one can take away your rights, unique identity and beautiful culture. It will continue to flourish and grow."

As the mercurial debate on the Citizenship Amendment Bill culminated in the passing of the controversial legislation in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MPs will file a writ petition against the Bill in the Supreme Court today, reported News18.

According to CNN-News18 legal editor Utkarsh Anand, the line of argument in their petition would be the breaching of Article 14, equality before the law and the right against discrimination.

Smouldering with protests as the Rajya Sabha passed the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill on Wednesday, curfew has been imposed in Assam's Guwahati and Dibrugarh for an indefinite period.

The curfew in Guwahati, which was imposed at 6.15 pm, has been extended till an indefinite period, Assam Police additional director-general (Law and Order) Mukesh Agrawal told PTI.

"We will periodically review the situation and take the decision to lift it accordingly," he added.

Earlier, Assam Police director-general Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta said the curfew will be in place till 7 am on Thursday.

"In Dibrugarh, curfew was imposed on Wednesday night and will be in force till further orders," Deputy Commissioner Pallav Gopal Jha said.

The army was deployed in four districts to quell the protests.

Army PRO Lieutenant-Colonel P Khongsai said two Army columns have been deployed in Guwahati city and are carrying out flag marches. "The Army has also been deployed in Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts," officials sad.

On Wednesday night, the army was called in at Jorhat and its personnel were staging flag march, Deputy Commissioner Roshni Korati told PTI.

The Assam government suspended mobile internet and data services of all service providers for 24 hours starting 7 pm Wednesday in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Kamrup (Metro) and Kamrup districts, according to a notification issued by the government.

Tens of thousands of protesters against the CAB descended on the streets of Assam, 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.

Though no party or student body has called a shutdown, protesters, a majority of them students, fought pitched battles with security forces in the restive state, including in front of the secretariat, the seat of the BJP government.

Police fired tear gas shells and baton-charged protesters, who fought back.

The Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019, which has already been approved by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, proposes to give citizenship to Hindus, Christians, Parsis, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs facing religion persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

With inputs from PTI