Massive Citizenship Protests On Steps Of Delhi's Jama Masjid, Bhim Army Chief In Crowd

Delhi’s iconic Jama Masjid became epicentre of the massive anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests on Friday. Bhim Army, a political outfit, is leading the protests. Bhim Army chief Chandrashekar was seen in the crowd. Protesters were seen waving Tricolours and banners of Dr BR Ambedkar. Initial information suggests that in spite of Delhi Police denying permission to the Bhim Army, several of its workers gathered outside Delhi’s biggest mosque. Many of the devotees, who had come to the mosque for Friday prayer, didn’t leave the premises. Protesters are shouting slogans on the steps of the mosque at gate number 1. As precautionary measure, the Delhi Metro had already closed the entry and exit gates of Jama Masjid, Lal Qila and Chawri Bazar. Delhi Police PRO MS Randhawa also present at the spot to control and monitor the situation, he has been asking people gathered at Jama Masjid to peacefully disperse.

Apart from mega protests in Jama Masjid, situation remain tense in Northeast Delhi. The Delhi Police tightened security in the Northeast area of the national capital in view of violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The city police is using drones to keep a watch on the situation as section 144 has been imposed in 12 out of 14 police stations of Northeast. "Sufficient force has been deployed including 10 companies of CRPF and RAF in Northeast district. We've held many rounds of meeting with locals and deployed drones, anti-riot gear to deal with any kind of situation," Joint Commissioner of Police Alok Kumar said.

Meanwhile, the city police has denied permission to Bhim Army to take out a protest march on Friday from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar against the amended citizenship law.

Prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 are in place near the Red Fort area since Thursday, prohibiting an assembly of four or more people.

Thousands of students, activists and opposition leaders hit the streets in the national capital on Thursday, defying heavy security clampdown and prohibitory orders even as authorities suspended mobile internet services and restricted traffic movement to quell the swirling agitation.

Opposition leaders D Raja, Sitaram Yechury, Nilotpal Basu, Brinda Karat, Ajay Maken, Sandeep Dikshit and activists Yogendra Yadav, Umar Khalid were among over 1,200 people detained from areas around Red Fort and Mandi House -- the sites of the two planned demonstrations.