Assam leads protests, as region rises against CAB

Normal life came to a standstill in the entire region on Wednesday as protesters took to the streets in large numbers, especially in Assam which was the worst hit by the 11-hour bandh called by NESO to oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

Vehement protests were witnessed across the region during the bandh. Protesters took to the streets chanting slogans against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

The protesters also blocked roads by burning tyres along the important routes, especially in the major towns of Assam, including state capital Guwahati. Areas around Hatigaon were the most affected with irate protesters putting up barricades on the roads with uprooted telephone poles.

Police had to resort to tear gas shelling and lathi charge in areas like Down Town and Rukminigaon to disperse the protesters, who allegedly had pelted stones at the police personnel.

Protests escalated in Guwahati, with agitators taking to the GS Road in the heart of the city bringin movement of vehicles to standstill. The protesters chanted slogans against the Assam police and also stopped the vehicles of ADGP Mukesh Agarwal and IGP of Anti-corruption Cell of Assam Police Anurag Kashyap.

Meanwhile, inadequate police and paramilitary presence on the streets of Guwahati was exposed as protesters went on a near rampage even forcing people out of their vehicles and putting up barricades in certain areas to restrict movement as part of the 11-hour bandh called by NESO to oppose the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill.