Anti-CAA protest LIVE: Protesters detained; Telecom services suspended in parts of Delhi-NCR

Thursday (December 19): Scores of protesters were detained by the Delhi Police near Red Fort when they tried to take out a march to protest the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in defiance of the prohibitory orders imposed.

Swarajya Abhiyan chief Yogendra Yadav, former JNU student Umar Khalid and ex-JNUSU president N Sai Balaji were among those who were detained, officials said.

“I have just been detained from Lal Qila. About a thousand protesters already detained. Thousands on the way. Am told we are being taken to Bawana,” Yadav tweeted.

I have just been detained from Lal Qila. About a thousand protesters already detained. Thousands on the way.
Am told we are being taken to Bawana.

साझी विरासत, साझी शहादत, साझी नागरिकता pic.twitter.com/RnkUNjfkzo

— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) December 19, 2019

“I know many of our mates are being detained, despite that many have gathered here. The citizenship of this country cannot be divided and this is our protest call today,” Yadav said.

Protestors, which included activists and students, were dragged into buses in a bid to clear the area. Holding placards and shouting slogans, the protesters allowed themselves to be escorted to the buses.

“Picked up by Delhi Police from Red Fort. We had gathered to protest against the divisive CAB-NRC on Ashfaq & Bismil’s martyrdom day. I appeal to all peacefully keep protesting till unconstitutional CAB-NRC is rolled back. This is something we owe to Ashfaq & Bismil’s sacrifice,” Khalid tweeted.

The Delhi Police has urged protesters to go to the designated place for their protest.

Several Jamia students and activists were also siting inside the Jamia Masjid complex to protest against the CAA and National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Telecom operators on Thursday suspended internet, voice and messaging services in parts of Delhi-NCR following instructions from the police in the wake of protests against anti-Citizenship Amendment Act.

As per the order, services were suspended for locations including walled city areas of north and central districts, Mandi House, Seelampur, Jaffarbad, Mustafabad, Jamia Nagar, Shaheen Bagh and Bawana.

Telecom service providers including Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio barred the services to comply with the order.

“In view of the prevailing law and order situation, it is hereby directed that communication of all types i.e. voice, SMS and internet, be halted from 0900 hours to 1300 hours in Cell IDs/BTS (base transceiver stations) covering the following areas for 19-12-2019,” said the order issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell, New Delhi.

Despite prohibitory orders issued by Delhi Police, protesters have gathered at Red Fort and Mandi House.