Anti-CAA Protests Turn Violent In Chennai, Several Injured In Stone Pelting

The Chennai Police on Friday lathi-charged the protesters who had been demonstrating against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Four police personnel—a woman joint commissioner, two women constables and a sub-inspector—were injured in stone pelting, the police said, even as reports emerged that some protesters were also hurt. The protesters accused the police of resorting to a lathicharge.

Joint Commissioner P Vijayakumari sustained injuries on her head, the police said, adding that those wounded were admitted to a hospital.

DMK President MK Stalin while reacting to the incident said: “We condemn the Edappadi government's police crackdown on the night of February 14, in a deliberate attack on people who fought peacefully against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The detainees should be released and their cases be withdrawn.”

Some of the protesters were detained. Subsequently, more people gathered there demanding their release. As a result, security was beefed up in the area.

Protesters subsequently called off the agitation, following talks with City Police Commissioner AK Viswanathan.

Viswanathan held discussions with community elders and representatives of Muslim organisations, following which all those detained were released, the police said.

“An amicable decision was arrived at in the meeting with Muslim organisations and they have announced that the agitation will be withdrawn,” a police officer said, adding that normalcy had returned to the area.

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has been one the most talked about issues in the country for several weeks now. The passage of the contentious act created tensions in different parts of the country. Starting from Assam, Uttar Pradesh to New Delhi, violent protests erupted, culminating into huge damage of public properties. The Citizenship Act protests, which agitators tout as Anti-Muslim, spread far and wide and prohibitory orders (Section 144) and internet shutdowns have also become the order of the day.

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) aims to amend the definition of illegal immigrant for Hindu, Sikh, Parsi, Buddhist and Christian immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who have lived in India without proper documents. According to the act those who have been living here will be granted fast track Indian citizenship in six years. So far 12 years of residence has been the standard eligibility requirement for naturalisation.

A large number of women have been holding a sit-in against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at Shaheen Bagh in south east Delhi since mid-December. The protest, supported by people from different fields including politicians, Bollywood actors and academicians, has emerged as a symbol of anti-CAA agitation in the country.