48-Hour Internet Ban in Tripura to curb Violent Protests Against CAB

Many student unions and organisations along with left-democratic parties have been protesting violently in India’s Northeastern states against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill that was passed in the Lok Sabha on December 10 resulting in the prohibition on the use of the internet and SMS for 48 hours.

Crux of the Matter

1. Additional police and CRPF forces have been deployed in sensitive areas after the Citizenship Amendment Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha with an overwhelming majority of 311 votes in favour against 80.

2. Disrupting the normal life the tribal parties have called for statewide indefinite bandh in Tripura. Most government schools, offices, banks remained closed.

3. Internet services have been suspended in Tripura for 48 hours to prevent spreading of misinformation and rumours via social media.

4. Normal life came to a standstill in Assam’s Brahmaputra Valley due to the protests led by the All Assam Students’ Union and the North East Students’ Organisation (NESO).

5. Amidst the heavy protests, an ailing two-month-old baby died on the way to the hospital in Bishramganj, Tripura as vehicular traffic was blocked.

6. Large processions were taken out in different areas of Assam and agitators engaged in a tussle with security forces near the Secretariat and Assembly buildings in Guwahati.

7. Agitators also protested outside the Assam headquarters of the BJP and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). Train services across Assam were affected as protesters blocked the railway tracks.

8. CM Sarbananda Sonowal has asked protesters to not spread “misinformation” and refrain from creating unrest in the state.

9. All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) called for a strike in the state of Arunachal Pradesh resulting in markets and educational institutions being shut.

10. The shutdown called by the All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) received an overwhelming response.

11. In Shillong, capital of Meghalaya incidents of tyre burning and vandalisation of vehicles were reported in Mawlai area, East Khasi Hills.

Curiopedia

The Citizenship Amendment Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on July 19, 2016. It was referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee on August 12, 2016. The Committee submitted its report on January 7, 2019. It was passed by Lok Sabha on 8 January 2019. It lapsed with the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha. The Bharatiya Janata Party had promised to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan but not Muslims. In the party’s election manifesto in 2014, the BJP had promised to welcome Hindu refugees and give shelter to them. The main reasons why there has been opposition against the bill are concerns that the demography of Northeast India will change with the influx of migrants from Bangladesh. More Info

Curated Coverage

1. MSN – 48-hour Internet Ban Announced in Tripura as North East Boils Over Citizenship Amendment Bill; Clashes in Assam

2. News 18 – 2-month-old Dies in Tripura as North East Boils over Citizenship Bill, 48-hr Mobile Internet Ban Imposed

3. NDTV – Baby Dies As Ambulance Gets Stuck Amid Tripura Clashes Over Citizenship Bill 

#CAA #Parliament #Protests