Citizenship Amendment Act: Upheaval in Uttar Pradesh, protests in many cities

Fierce protests started in Aligarh and Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh against the Citizenship Amendment Act have started showing effect in other cities of the state as well. Monday evening in Mau district where local citizens staged violent demonstrations. At the same time, a situation of confrontation arose between the supporters and opponents of the citizenship law in Varanasi. Demonstrations are still taking place in many cities.

In Mau on Monday, a large number of protesters took to the street protest after noon, while in the evening some people in the crowd vandalized and set fire to about a dozen vehicles. Apart from this, the mob also tried to set fire to South Tola police station. As soon as the incident was known, the top officials of the district reached there and tried to control the crowd. The administration also warned people not to leave unnecessary homes.

Mau District Magistrate Gyan Prakash Tripathi said, "Some of the youths in Mirza Hadipura had planned to give a memorandum against the police action in Jamia Milia Islamia. On seeing the crowd, the crowd started growing. Police tried to remove the crowd But no one was leading the protesters, so there was trouble. Suddenly the crowd threw stones around South Tola police station and Started arson. The miscreants will be arrested after watching the video footage.''

Gyan Prakash Tripathi says that Section 144 has been imposed in the entire city. He said, "It was announced to intimidate the protesters that curfew will be imposed if you do not calm down. Curfew has not been imposed yet. People were also asked not to leave the houses unless it is necessary."

However, according to locals, the police and administration continued to announce late in the city that curfew has been imposed in the entire city and necessary action will be taken against whoever comes out. On Monday, police also released tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. A heavy police force has been deployed throughout the city.

All the students of Mau district study at Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University in Delhi. Police action against the students in both places had caused anger among the youth and locals for many days and people were preparing to gather for the demonstration.

Arshad Jamal, former chairman of the Mau municipality, blames some anti-social elements for the violent protests, "The fight which was supposed to be fought peacefully has blunted the movement. We have been doing this work under the banner of political parties. On December 19, the march and dharna of Left parties and Samajwadi Party are already scheduled, which has also been reported to the district administration.

Internet services are currently closed in Mau district. The district administration says that some local leaders of the city tried to instigate people in the matter on social media, due to which the protest has turned violent. According to the DM, this is the reason why internet services have been disrupted for some time and those who have put 'ghee in the fire' are being identified.

At the same time, there were demonstrations against the Citizenship Amendment Act at BHU and Allahabad University on Monday and today, demonstrations have been announced in both places. The Allahabad University Administration has announced a two-day holiday in view of demonstrations at the university and affiliated colleges.

Students also took out a torch procession against the Citizenship Amendment Act at Singh Gate at BHU on Monday evening. At one place, students who were opposing the law and supporting students also came face to face but no unpleasant situation could arise.

The state government has issued a high alert in western UP amid protests taking place in all the districts of Uttar Pradesh. Internet services have been disrupted in Aligarh, Meerut, Saharanpur, Kasganj districts and police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in these districts in view of the tension.

About two dozen people have been arrested in Aligarh on Sunday. Some markets were also closed on Monday to pressure their release. It is being told that many students are also missing, although the university administration has not confirmed this.

Following the demonstration at Nadwa College in Lucknow on Monday, the college has been closed till January 5. Students living in the college have been sent to their homes. At the same time, the examinations were going on in AMU from 28 November, which was to be done by 21 December.

But the AMU campus has been closed after the violence and hostels have been evacuated. As of January 5, AMU has been closed and examinations postponed. According to the AMU administration, examinations at AMU's Kishanganj, Murshidabad and Mallapuram centers have also been postponed.