The Supreme Court is hearing the allegations of police excesses on students protesting against the new citizenship law at Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University today on December 17, 2019.
Citizenship Amendment Act protests LIVE Updates
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India S A Bobde agreed to hear the matter only when “all rioting” stops. The Supreme Court had on Monday took serious note of rioting and destruction of public property during protests across the country and said “violence must stop immediately”.
On Monday, students from across the country, including from premier institutes such as IIT-Bombay and IIT-Chennai, and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, protested against the police action. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for peace and said that “no Indian has anything to worry” over the amended citizenship law, which has triggered a nationwide agitation.
Meanwhile, Assam government authorities said that curfew has been relaxed in the district from 6 am to 8 pm for today. According to the reports, the Assam government has lifted curfew in the state on Tuesday after days of bloody protests and Broadband services shall also resume from today. However, internet services in West Bengal’s Howrah will remain suspended till 5 pm today.
Delhi court remands six accused
The Delhi Police on Tuesday morning arrested 10 people from Okhla area in connection with the violence that rocked Jamia Millia Islamia University Sunday evening. A police spokesperson said that most of the accused have a criminal background and none of them are students.
Meanwhile, two people who were apparently caught in the Jamia violence are being treated for “gunshot injuries” at Safdarjung Hospital on Monday. However, the Delhi Police said it did not open fire during the Sunday incident and its personnel were not carrying firearms.
On reacting to the reports regarding the bullet injuries to students, DCP, South-East Delhi, Chinmoy Biswal said, “No bullet was fired by police. Only tear gas shells were used to disperse the violent mob who were pelting stones at police. The nature of injuries being reported could be due to the sharp end of tear gas shells and we are probing the allegations.”
On the other hand, Assam Police has said that at least 190 persons, including a Congress worker, have been arrested in connection with violent protests in the state while over 3,000 have been detained across the state. Police have also claimed political conspiracy behind the violence. Four people had died in Assam violence.
Assam DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta said, “Four people have been killed in police action unfortunately. Situation had become such that the police had to fire in order to save more people & property. Situation is pretty much under control now.” At least 26 protesters have received injuries of various kinds, including bullet injuries, and are undergoing treatment.
On the other hand, ADG Ashutosh Pandey has said that 19 people have been arrested in connection with yesterday’s violence in Mau. Meanwhile, BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay has filed a plea in Supreme Court seeking SIT probe into alleged violence in West Bengal and other parts of the country. Plea claims that there is a deliberate conspiracy to incite violence.
Reportedly, the Ministry of Home Affairs maintains that no bullet was fired by Delhi Police during Jamia protests. However, ten people with criminal backgrounds have been arrested in connection with the 15 December violence in the Jamia Millia Islamia incident. No student has been arrested.
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, in a presser said, “I demand central government to take back this unconstitutional law, otherwise it may lead to negative consequences in the future. They should not create emergency like circumstances, like Congress did earlier. BSP’s parliamentary party has also sought time to meet the President. Our party will also raise our voices in the UP assembly, against Citizenship Amendment Act, and crimes against women.”
Meanwhile, the Indian Railways declared that property worth at least 250 crores has been destroyed in vandalism in the state during the anti-Citizesnhip Amendment Act protests. The East railways has faced a loss of Rs 8 crores. While the South East railways has faced Rs 16 crores loss due to the bandh and rail roko events. In the Eastern Railway at least 15 stations were vandalised. Cash boxes have been looted as well.
At 11:30 AM, Chief Justice of India is reportedly unhappy with a number of petitions being filed over protests across the country. He has asked petitioners to approach High Court first.
Meanwhile, at a meeting of Aghadi leaders on Citizenship Amendment Act Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray said that there is an attempt to create chaos in the country. I don’t understand what those in Delhi want to do. We need to ensure that things don’t go wrong in constituencies. After the session gets over, you [leaders] should ensure nothing happens in your area.
At 11:35 AM, a senior advocate sought to mention before the Supreme Court, the violence due to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. However, the Supreme Court said that it’s not a trial court and it can’t assume jurisdiction for whatever is happening all over the country.
Reportedly, All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen President Asaduddin Owaisi had moved the top court on Saturday “to preserve plural, secular constitutional democracy”. Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra had also moved the top court on Friday, challenging the amendments’ constitutional validity, a day after the amended law was challenged by the Indian Union Muslim League.
More recently, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has filed a petition against the contentious law, while Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has challenged the legaity of the CAA in the Supreme Court and his plea will be heard on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Police have reportedly issued a notice to two students of Fergusson College asking them not to hold a signature campaign or any protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act and NCR.
AT 12:00 PM, as per the sources in the Delhi Police, the violence in Jamia was pre-planned. In its initial report, police have claimed that protesters were armed with petrol bombs.
Kumar Gyanesh, Additional DCP (South East) said that some protesters were carrying wet blankets and putting them on tear gas shells to minimise their impact.
On the other hand, at a protest rally in Kolkata Mamata Banerjee said, BJP did not give opposition parties time to think and discuss Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, sought its passage in a hurry.
At 1:30 PM, while hearing pleas on police action against Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University students, the Supreme Court asked, We do not have to intervene. It is a law and order problem; how did the buses burn? Why don’t you approach jurisdictional High Court?
The Supreme Court says, “We have disclosed our minds, HCs be approached for fact-finding exercise.”
Refusing to consider statements of Jamia varsity V-C to press, the Supreme Court said the court is not going to rely on newspapers to arrive at judicial decisions. Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for protesters, urged the top court to send a former judge to AMU for fact-finding. Police must have prior permission of VC of university before entering premises, he said.
The Supreme Court took strong note of lawyers arguing at a high pitch and said there should not be a shouting match just because there is a large crowd, media. The court asked the Centre to give details as to why notices were not given to protesters before the arrest and whether medical assistance was given.
Meanwhile, Students at the Madras University gathered in protest in solidarity with Students in Jamia and AMU against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
On the other hand, section 144 has been imposed in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj city in view of the ongoing anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests in the state and all across the country.
