Citizenship Bill protests LIVE: Shinzo Abe postpones visit to Guwahati

President Ram Nath Kovind gives assent to Citizenship Amendment Bill as thousands of troops brace for another day of protests in the Northeast.

9:31 PM

People trying to store essentials; potato sold at Rs 80 a kg

People trying to stock up essentials faced trouble as long queues were seen in front of grocery stores, automated teller machines and petrol pumps in Guwahati where an indefinite curfew is on for the second day in a row, but people seem to hardly care about it.

9:30 PM

Protests erupt in Delhi over citizenship law by social, religious and political outfits

A large number of protesters, including Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind leaders, protested at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Friday against the amended citizenship law, which they described as "anti-constitutional" and "divisive", and demanded its immediate withdrawal.

6:53 PM

Assam protest: Arunachal CM asks officials to ensure strict checking of ILPs

In view of the volatile situation in neighbouring Assam over the protests against the amended Citizenship Act, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday directed state officials to ensure strict checking of Inner Line Permits (ILP) in check gates across the state.

6:48 PM

AMU students, teachers hold protests on campus against amended citizenship law

Hundreds of Aligarh Muslim University students and teachers organised separate protest marches on Friday and handed over two memorandums to authorities, demanding immediate withdrawal of the amendments made to the Citizenship Act.

5:58 PM

Trains to and from Assam cancelled, short terminated following protests against amended Citizenship Act

At least 106 passenger trains were either cancelled or short terminated by Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) in view of disruptions in train movement following protests against amended Citizenship Act since Wednesday, the NFR said in a statement said on Friday.

 

5:58 PM

Amit Shah's visit to Meghalaya, Arunachal cancelled

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has cancelled his visit to two Northeastern states -- Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh -- scheduled on Sunday and Monday, officials said on Friday.

 

5:58 PM

CAB protest by Jamia students turns violent; police lathicharge protestors

The Jamia Millia Islamia University turned into a battlefield on Friday after a students' march to Parliament House, to protest the Citizenship Amendment Act, was interrupted by police. There was a clash between police and students after the protestors were stopped at the varsity gate.

 

5:57 PM

Efforts to help stranded passengers in Guwahati

Efforts were being made on Friday to help passengers stranded at the airport, railway station and inter-state bus terminals here, an official said. Hundreds of passengers were stranded at these places due to the indefinite curfew in the city following violent protests against the amended Citizenship Act.

 

5:57 PM

Japanese PM cancels India visit over violent protests in Northeast against new citizenship law

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India for an annual summit with his counterpart Narendra Modi in Guwahati was on Friday cancelled in the wake of violent protests over the amended citizenship law in India's northeast. Both sides have decided to "defer" Abe's visit for the December 15-17 summit to a mutually convenient date, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said without giving any reason for the decision.

1:21 PM

DMK leader slams Citizenship Act

Udhayanidhi Stalin, youth wing leader of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and his party workers were detained on Friday in Chennai when tried to block a road to a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Udhayanidhi, said the Act was "against minorities and Sri Lankan Tamils."

1:16 PM

Curfew relaxed in Shillong

Curfew was relaxed in parts of Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya, for 12 hours beginning 10 am Friday. The curfew was imposed Thursday night in areas under Sadar and Lumdiengjri police station limits, which comprise at least 20 neighbourhoods of North Shillong and Mawprem. 

11:44 AM

BJP to launch public campaign about Citizenship Act

The Bharatiya Janata Party says will launch a public awareness programme about the Citizenship Act "dispel the propaganda" that the legislation is against any community. The campaign will focus on states where the legislation's beneficiaries are in large numbers, West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh told PTI. He estimated that over two crore people can get Indian citizenship under the amended Act.

 

11:01 AM

Trinamool MP challenges Act

Mahua Moitra, Trinamool Congress MP from West Bengal, moves Supreme Court against Citizenship Amendment Act. A Bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde refuses early hearing for Friday, reports news agency ANI.

10:10 AM

Curfew relaxed in Guwahati and Shillong

Curfew relaxed in Jorhat, Dibrugarh and capital city Guwahati, reports NDTV TV news channel. Curfew relaxed in Shillong in Meghalaya too. 

9:18 AM

Meghalaya Chief Minister heckled

NDTV.com reports protestors heckled Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma as he landed from a chopper in Williamnagar, a town 250 km from Shillong, , to take part in an event to mark the death anniversary of a freedom fighter.

 

9:15 AM

Bangladesh asks for more security at Guwahati mission

Bangladesh asks India to enhance security for its Guwahati mission after a mob defaced two signposts near the chancery. Two persons were killed on Thursday in police firing in Assam to quell protests against the citizenship bill with thousands descending on streets defying curfew as Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed his government was committed to safeguarding their rights.

9:13 AM

US says it's monitoring India developments

The United States appeaks India to protect the rights of its religious minorities. "We are closely following developments regarding the Citizenship Amendment Bill. Respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law are fundamental principles of our two democracies," a State Department spokesperson said on Thursday.