Bhopal, December 20: The Madhya Pradesh government on Friday imposed curfew in 50 out of the 52 districts in the state. In parts of Jabalpur, curfew has also been ordered to prevent the mobilisation of protesters. The restrictionary orders have been issued in view of the unrest brewing against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Pockets of the state which are communally sensitive, have been kept on heightened alert. Priyanka Gandhi Meets Anti-CAA Protesters at India Gate, Says 'Pan-India NRC Will Affect Poor The Most'.

Internet connections, which have been clamped down in several parts of Madhya Pradesh to prevent the circulation of rumours, were restored late on Friday in the state capital of Bhopal. The city, which houses a significant portion of Muslim population, was under escalated police watch today as it was feared that protests may break out following the congregational prayers.

Update by ANI

The worst affected state amid the anti-CAA stir is Uttar Pradesh, where clashes broke out between police personnel and protesters in several cities. A total of 6 demonstrators have died in the state, followed by two in Karnataka.

The Centre, along with the state governments, has appealed the protesters to withdraw from their agitation. The CAA -- which aims to naturalise non-Muslim refugees -- is not related to the proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise.

Critics of the law, however, allege a ploy to turn a section of the Indian Muslims "stateless" through the CAA. They have cited the execution of NRC in Assam, where more than five lakh Hindu Bangladeshis -- who have been excluded from the register of citizenship -- would be naturalised through through CAA. On the other hand, the Muslims excluded from the NRC would have to prove his innocence before the Foreigners' Tribunal within 120 days.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 20, 2019 10:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).