Assam DGP appeals to agitators to exercise restraint

Assam Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta Thursday appealed to people agitating against the Citizenship Amendment Bill despite the indefinite curfew in the city to exercise restraint and not to take the law into their hands.

He also urged to the electronic media not to show provocative visuals or reports.

He said that many "lumpen elements" and people with political connections are trying foment disturbances in the state, where the army has been called in three districts besides the state capital.

"We do not have anything to say if the protests are democratic. But I am appealing to the people not to take the law into their hands to create disturbances," Mahanta told PTI.

"The attacks (by the protestors) that are taking place are not good and there will be problem if people take law and order into their hands," he added.

Stones were thrown at Mahanta's convoy on Thursday when he was touring the city, which is ravaged by violent protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

The carcade was on Guwahati-Shillong Road near Christian Basti when it was attacked. Stones were thrown at several vehicles in the convoy that was on its way from the secretariat.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) G P Singh said that the law must be adhered to and those who break the law will face action.

As curfew is in force in Assam people must follow the law and stay indoors till it is lifted, he said.

Singh, who was serving as inspector general of police of the National Investigation Agency in New Delhi, was rushed here today to take charge as the ADGP (Law and Order) from Mukesh Agarwal.

All incidents are being videographed and those indulging in violence will be identified and action will be taken against them as per the law, he said, adding the future of the protesting students may be at stake.

"The students are involving themselves in the protests emotionally but they must realise that there will be no gain from this. It will only jeopardise their future," Singh said.

The IGP urged the parents and guardians of the protesting students to explain to them the futility of their actions and the probable consequences.