New Delhi:
No bullet was fired by police during violent protests against the amended Citizenship Act at Jamia Milia Islamia University on Sunday, Home Ministry officials said. There have been allegations that police fired bullets on protesters during the agitation at Jamia. The officials also said that 10 persons with criminal background have been detained in connection with the protests and more anti-social elements are being tracked. "No bullet was fired by the Delhi Police during protests at Jamia. All 10 persons detained have criminal background. More anti-social elements are being tracked," the officials said, citing a Delhi Police report.
Several vehicles, including buses, were burnt down and public properties destroyed during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, which was passed by Parliament last week.
According to the Act, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 and facing religious persecution there will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship.?
The Act says refugees of six communities will be given Indian citizenship after residing in India for five years, instead of 11 years earlier. On Tuesday, protesters, including students and local residents, converged outside Jamia Millia Islamia University with Tricolour and placards to continue their demonstration against the Citizenship Amended Act and National Register of Citizens.
Braving freezing cold, they took out small marches outside the varsity, shouting slogans against the government.
They, however, made sure the movement of traffic was not affected. A few students said though many of their classmates have gone back home, they have decided to stay put and fight till the amendments in the Citizenship Act are withdrawn.
This is the second consecutive day of peaceful protests after the demonstration on Sunday turned violent. On Monday, thousands of students took to the streets demanding a probe into the use of teargas on Sunday inside the Jamia university's library as well as police entering the campus without permission from university authorities.
Scores of protesters including Jamia students, policemen and locals were injured, four DTC buses were torched and over 100 private vehicles and 10 police bikes were also damaged in the violence and arson that took place during the protest on Sunday. Women from all age groups, including grandmothers and sisters of students, were seen taking the lead in the protest on Monday, vowing to continue the fight for justice till their "last breath".
Residents and parents of students from nearby areas came out in numbers to support them.
