Imphal under curfew over citizenship bill

GUWAHATI: Curfew was imposed in Imphal as the ongoing protests against the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill turned violent in a few parts of Manipur, where civil society groups called a state-wide shutdown on Tuesday. In Mizoram, organizations observed a “black day” and agitators came out on the streets with placards saying “Hello Independent Republic of Mizoram”.

The proposed amendment to the Citizenship Act, 1955 that seeks to grant citizenship to nonmuslim minorities from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh could not be tabled in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday as the House was adjourned. The contentious bill was passed in Lok Sabha last month. The legislation has triggered widespread protests in the north-east amid concern that it could dilute the indigenous identity by accelerating demographic changes.

“Curfew has been imposed in Imphal area, in the twin districts of Imphal (East) and Imphal (West) and the agitation continues,” said L M Khaute, director general of police, Manipur.

Khaute said there were a few cases of violence as protesters took to the streets. Mobile internet services, too, have been suspended in the state. The district administration of Imphal (West) issued orders prohibiting sharing of information related to agitation/protests.

Khaute said the situation will be reviewed before further decision is taken.

In Imphal, a few protesters stripped in front of the state BJP office. In Thoubal district, a Bharatiya Janata Party office was ransacked by agitators, police said.

The 36-hour shutdown call given by People’s Alliance Manipur, which would have ended at 5 pm on Tuesday, has been extended by another 24 hours. “As the bill was not tabled today, a decision has been taken to extend it,” said Bhushan Longjam, general secretary, Socialist Students Union of Manipur, which is a part of PAM.

“We are making all efforts to ensure that peace prevails,” Khaute said.

In Mizoram, civil society groups observed a “black day”. Former chief minister Lalthanhawla also joined protesters. “The bill is not in the interests of the people of north-east,” he said. “If the Centre continues like this without listening to the people we may be driven to the extreme,” he said. “Why would they want to drive us to that extreme,” he asked referring to the placards that read, “Hello Independent Republic of Mizoram”.

On January 24, agitators had come out with placards reading “Hello China”.