Bandh in Assam today in protest against CAA, alert in many states

Protests have started across the country as soon as the Citizenship (Amendment) Act i.e. CAA was implemented. In view of the protests, an alert has been issued in many states. Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Delhi are among those sensitive states, here the police is on alert mode. Cyber wing of Delhi Police is also on alert. Security agencies and police across the country are keeping a close watch on social media platforms. In fact, a large number of protests were held in the capital against CAA. Special monitoring is being kept on Shaheenbagh area. A bandh has been called in Assam today against CAA.

All Assam Students Union has called for protests against CAA. The Joint Opposition Forum of 16 parties has announced a statewide bandh today. Copies of CAA were also burnt at some places in Assam. People associated with AASU will come to Delhi and appeal to the government to withdraw the CAA notification. Assam Police has issued legal notices to 16 opposition political parties over the bandh call. The police warned the political parties and said that as per the order of the Gauhati High Court, cases can be registered against the people involved in the bandh. The 2023 order of the Guwahati HC states that the 'bandh' is illegal and unconstitutional. While giving instructions, the HC said that the government can recover from the protesters the financial loss caused due to the protest or strike. At the same time, the Chief Minister of Assam had warned that if the bandh is called, the registration of political parties may be stopped.

The police said in a strict tone that if there is damage to public property due to the protests and bandh, then recovery of the same will be done from the protesters. Gautam Buddha Nagar Police is on alert mode after notifying the CAA rules. The Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCP) of the three zones along with the police force marched on foot at different places on Monday evening. Officials said that additional policemen have been deployed at sensitive places and police have increased patrolling in these areas. He told that the police has already held a meeting with all the religious gurus in this regard and policemen in plain clothes have also been deployed at many places. Noida Zone DCP Vidya Sagar Mishra said that many parts of the city are also being monitored through drone cameras and the city has been divided into 'zones' and 'superzones'.

The police officer said that two teams have been formed to keep an eye on social media and if anyone shares a video that spoils the atmosphere and makes such comments, strict action will be taken against him. All police station in-charges have been instructed to patrol their respective areas. As soon as CAA was implemented, security was tightened in Assam on Monday with the deployment of additional police personnel.

Officials said that all police stations have been put on alert and barricades have been installed on major routes in almost all cities of the state including Guwahati. Patrolling has been increased in sensitive areas after opposition parties announced the launch of protests against the CAA notification. All Assam Students Union (AASU) also announced to burn copies of CAA, take out processions and launch 'Satyagraha' against the notification.