New Delhi, December 19: Ahead of planned protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, authorities imposed Section 144 near the Red Fort in Delhi. Police also imposed traffic restrictions to clamp down on planned protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. This has led to massive traffic jams in several parts of the national capital. As many as 14 metro stations were also closed to prevent assembly of people near the Red Fort. Citizenship Act 1955 - Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 Full Text: Know Two Laws About Indian Citizenship.

A march has been organised under the banner of 'Hum Bharat Ke Log' against the Citizenship Amendment Act from Lal Quila (Red Fort) to Shaheed Bhagat Singh Park (ITO). Police, however, have not granted permission for the march. Another march is planned by the Communist Party of India from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC). Citizenship Amendment Bill Debate: Manipur to be Exempted Via Inner Line Permit, Says Amit Shah; Here's How ILP Will Offset CAB Impact.

In a bid to prevent people from reaching protest sites, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) closed 14 stations. Entry and exit gates were shut at Patel Chowk, Lok Kalyan Marg, Udyog Bhawan, ITO, Pragati Maidan, Khan Market, Lal Quila, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Vishwavidyalaya, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jasola Vihar, Shaheen Bagh and Munirka stations. On Tuesday, entry and exit gates at seven metro stations were closed in view of the violent protest in the Seelampur area.

Jamia Millia Islamia metro station was shut for four hours on Monday in view of a protest by students against the police crackdown on the university campus on Sunday. Later in the day, entry and exit from Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan, Lok Kalyan Marg and Janpath stations in central Delhi were barred for over two hours in view of a protest at the India Gate. The national capital witnessed several incidents of violence during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 in last three days.

The Citizen Amendment Act grants Indian citizenship to persecuted religious minorities, like Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from the neighbouring Muslim-majority countries, like Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The newly-passed law is criticised as it leaves out Muslim sects facing religious persecution in these countries. Indigenous communities in northeastern states are also demanding the repeal of the CAA as it may change the demography of areas.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 19, 2019 10:42 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).