CAA Protests: 375 Detained Protesters Freed In Delhi; Internet Back In Several UP Districts

Soon after the conclusion of Friday prayers, agitators in large number, gathered outside Delhi's Jama Masjid and raised slogans against the newly introduced legislation and also the proposed National Register Of Citizens (NRC).

A protestor holds the national flag during a protest against Citizenship (Amendment) Act, after Friday prayers, at Jama Masjid in New Delhi. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: Despite dipping temperature in the national capital, hundreds of protesters including activists, politicians and common man on Friday came out roads to express their disagreement over the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Soon after the conclusion of Friday prayers, agitators in large number, gathered outside Delhi's Jama Masjid and raised slogans against the newly introduced legislation and also the proposed National Register Of Citizens (NRC). As many as 375 protesters detained outside UP Bhavan in New Delhi earlier in the day have been released from the Mandir Marg Police Station. Reports also state that internet services have been reinstated in several districts of Uttar Pradesh including Bijnor, Meerut, Aligarh after a day long blockade to avoid untoward. As the protest was carried out in violation of section 144CrPC order and the protesters did not have any permission, they were asked not to carry out their protest. When the protesters denied to follow the directions of Police, at least 357 protesters(282 male and 75 female) were detained and taken to Mandir Marg and Connaught Place Police Stations. They were subsequently released. According to reports, slogans were raised against CAA and NRC with a demand of employment, peace and amity. The protesters also carried placards that read: 'Save Constitution, do not divide India', asking others not to indulge in any kind of violence. The protest march that started from Old Delhi's Jama Masjid headed towards Delhi Gate where some agitators turned violent and even pelted stones at the police forces. Reports also stated that some protesters set ablaze a vehicle and some police officials were also injured. Police also used water cannon on protesters gathered after they started pelting stones.

Delhi: Protest outside Jama Masjid against #CitizenshipAmendmentAct. pic.twitter.com/EZ6Np7y6Nj

— ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2019

Hundreds of activists held a demonstrations demanding the immediate release of Bhim Army chief Chandrasekhar Azad, who was arrested during the anti-CAA protest at Jama Masjid last week.  The protest was organised by the Anjuman-e-Haideri and Bhim Army workers from Dargah Shah-e-mardan in south Delhi's upscale Jor Bagh area. WATCH | Protest Against Citizenship Amendment Act & NRC Outside Jama Masjid The protesters started their march from the Dargah towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. However, they were stopped before the Jor Bagh metro station by the Delhi Police. Congress leader Alka Lamba also participated in the protest. The protesters holding the national flag, photographs of B.R. Ambedkar and Bhim Army chief Chandrasekhar Azad raised slogans against the Modi government and demanded Azad's release. They also tied a black ribbon on their wrists as a mark of protest. Delhi Police Joint Commissioner (Southern Range) D.C. Srivastava told news agency IANS that adequate arrangements have been made to ensure that law and order is maintained. "We had earlier held talks with the Aman committees of all the areas and we also appealed to the people to maintain peace," Srivastava said. WATCH | Protest In Delhi's Jor Bagh Area Against CAA After Friday Prayers According to news agency ANI, at least 36 people including eight police personnel, who were injured during clashes over citizenship law here on Friday, were admitted to Lok Nayak hospital for treatment. Delhi Police have detained around 40 persons and said strict action would be taken against those who have been found involved in the "violence and arson." The police said that there were large gatherings also in Seelampur, Shastri Park, Jamia Nagar and Shaheen Bagh but they were dispersed peacefully. Meanwhile,  the students of the Jamia Millia Islamia have given a call of one-day hunger strike for impartial inquiry into the violence. If the demand are not met, they said, this may convert into a relay hunger strike to press the demand. The students are demanding free and fair probe into violence, compensation to people who are injured and the immediate release of those arrested. The students, who are participating in the hunger strike, said that they will make a statement in the evening as the protest ends for the day. They have also put up posters, saying that the CAA and the NPR-NRC are nothing but to divert people's attention from the economic slowdown.