As many as 112 protesters have been arrested in Guwahati following the violent clashes in the city against the newly amended citizenship law.

Speaking to media on December 20th, 2019, Joint Commissioner of Guwahati city police Devraj Upadhyaya said, “A total of 99 cases has been registered in the Guwahati so far. We have arrested 112 people so far.” The cases have been registered in all the city police stations except Adabari.

Four people have been killed in police firing so far, while an oil tanker driver was charred to death when his vehicle was set on fire in Orang as anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) protests swept the state last week.

After the Rajya Sabha passed the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill on December 11th, 2019 night, the state erupted in violent protests.

Tens of thousands of seething protesters defied the curfew in Guwahati and took to the streets against the CAA, prompting police to open fire. The Guwahati-Shillong (GS) Road had turned into a veritable war zone as protesters vandalised shops and buildings, damaged road divider railings, defaced newly-painted walls, burnt tyres and clashed with security forces.

The agitators fought pitched battles with the security personnel in almost every district of the state, forcing the administration to impose curfew and suspend internet services.

The broadband services were restored on December 18th, 2019 and mobile internet services resumed from 9 am of December 20th, 2019.

“We are monitoring social media to avoid the breach of peace and harmony. People should maintain restraint while sharing or forwarding any post or video of social media platforms. Law violators will be dealt with iron hands,” he said.

The arrested persons have been charged with rioting, vandalism, arson and attempt to murder. “We will issue a WhatsApp helpline number for complaints related to hate or fake messages,” Upadhyaya further added.

Photo: @smitaranideka