Clearance of the debatable Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) has led to wide-scale protests in Assam. The Bill seeks to give Indian nationality to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. And unlike the previous citizenship law, which requires an individual to reside in India for a minimum of 12 years to get citizenship, this bill will enable eligible individuals to get a fast-tracked Indian citizenship in six years.
The controversial bill created an uproar in Assam, resulting in massive protests in the state and other parts of northeast India as protesters allege that CAB will encourage migration from Bangladesh.
As the Citizenship Amendment Bill is just a few formalities away from taking effect, people are still divided over the bill. Protests continued in Assam even after the government suspended the Internet services (imposed exactly the night after the bill was passed in Lok Sabha). The internet shutdown was extended till December 14 across 10 districts of the state after the bill was cleared by Rajya Sabha on Wednesday (with 125 MPs in favour and 105 opposing the Bill).
Now, in Assam, 26 Indian Army columns have been deployed to support the Central Armed Police Forces.
It has become increasingly difficult to connect to the people of Assam, owing to the Internet ban. Here are some tweets and pictures that show us how Assam has transformed into a battleground.
‘READY To Die But NOT READY To Accept CAB’
Assam Is Burning!
Assam’s ‘Love For Motherland’
‘Assam Not A Dumping Ground’
Assam Wants Answers
‘Assam Needs Support’
‘Help Us Fight The Battle’
‘Why Shut Down Our Voices?’
90-Year-Old Protesting In The Cold
Helpless Voices: ‘Assam Rejects CAB’
Not just North-East, the protests have now erupted in the national capital as well. Jamia Millia Islamia University is in a state of lockdown after the students staged a protest. They also pelted stones after which the police used tear gas shells to disperse them.
Featured Image: Twitter
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