Anti-CAA Protests: UP Govt Snaps Internet Services in Lucknow, Meerut, Bareilly, Prayagraj and Ghaziabad
On Thursday, a section of protesters in Lucknow's Khadra and Hazratganj localities ended up vandalising police vehicles, setting ablaze two-wheelers and pelting stones at security personnel. To disperse the mob, the police resorted to lathicharge. Reports claimed that the security personnel also resorted to firing -- an allegation which UP DGP O P Singh has rejected.
Lucknow, December 19: In view of the prevailing unrest over Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the Uttar Pradesh government has snapped internet connections in Lucknow, Meerut, Bareilly, Prayagraj and Ghaziabad. The measure is aimed at prevention of mobilisation of supporters and curtailing the circulation of rumours. The decision was announced shortly after one person was confirmed to be dead in the clashes reported in Lucknow on Thursday. Karnataka: Two Anti-CAA Protesters Killed in Mangaluru in Alleged 'Police Firing', Curfew Imposed, Internet Suspended.
The district magistrates of Meerut, Bareilly, Prayagraj (Allahabad) and Ghaziabad have announced a blanket curtailment of internet services. In the state capital, however, major service providers including Airtel and Vodafone have been asked to cut down internet.
Update by ANI
Internet Curtailed Till 10 pm in Ghaziabad
Tensions continue to remain in Muslim-dominated belts of Uttar Pradesh, as congregational prayers for Friday will be held in the afternoon. The administration has appealed the community to exercise restraint and refrain from launching agitation over the CAA.
On Thursday, a section of protesters in Lucknow's Khadra and Hazratganj localities ended up vandalising police vehicles, setting ablaze two-wheelers and pelting stones at security personnel. To disperse the mob, the police resorted to lathicharge. Reports claimed that the security personnel also resorted to firing -- an allegation which UP Director General of Police O P Singh has rejected.
Several Muslim groups, in Uttar Pradesh as well as other parts of the nation, are up in protest against the citizenship law which mandates the naturalisation of non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The community fears that the law, combined with the proposed nationwide National Register of Citizenship (NRC) exercise, is a ploy to turn them "stateless".
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 19, 2019 11:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).