CAA: Protests sees uptick in south, violence in Karnataka

Protests witnessed an uptick in southern cities against the Citizenship Amendment Act with demonstrations turning violent that led to clamping of curfew at Mangaluru in Karnataka.

Prominent citizens hit the streets in Bengaluru and Chennai alongside students, activists and the general public to oppose the contentious law.

In BJP-ruled Karnataka, demonstrations, defying prohibitory orders, turned violent at Mangaluru when a section of protesters pelted stones at police personnel and burnt vehicles.

Police opened fire in the air to disperse defiant protesters, baton-charged and fired tear gas to disperse them.

Historian Ramachandra Guha, who attempted to go on protest at the Town Hall area in Bengaluru were removed from the location and let off later.

Guha said it was "absolutely undemocratic" that police was not allowing even a peaceful protest.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said he instructed police to exercise restraint while handling agitations and alleged that Congress was behind the protests.

To allay fears among the Muslims, he said protecting their interests was the government's responsibility.

He held a meeting with senior police officials and reviewed security arrangements.

Protests were also held at Hubballi, Kalaburagi, Hassan, Mysuru and Ballary in Karnataka where police detained demonstrators for violation of prohibitory orders which is in force in various parts of the state including Bengaluru and Mangaluru till December 21.

In Hyderabad, hundreds of protestors, including activists of Left parties and about 50 students of the University of Hyderabad were taken into preventive custody to foil attempts to hold protests against the Act.

CPI national secretary K Narayana, party's Telangana state secretary Chada Venkat Reddy, Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) chief M Kodandaram were among 350 people were taken into custody