CAA Protest: Curfew Imposed, Internet Shut In Entire Mangaluru After 2 Killed In Police Firing

Curfew has been imposed in the entire Mangaluru, while mobile Internet services have been suspended for 48 hours in the Karnataka city and Dakshina Kannada district after two persons were killed in police firing on Thursday as protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act turned violent, even as street demonstrations surged in southern cities, Mangalore Police Commissioner PS Harsha said. The police have clamped curfew Mangaluru until Friday night.

Police sources said protesters defying prohibitory orders attempted to lay siege to the Mangalore North police station and tried to attack police personnel, following which force was used to disperse them.

Two persons received bullet injuries in police firing and they later succumbed at a hospital, police confirmed. The deceased were identified as Jaleel Kudroli (49) and Nausheen (23).

Prominent citizens hit the streets in Bengaluru and Chennai alongside students, activists and the general public to oppose the contentious law.

In Karnataka, police lobbed tear gas shells, resorted to baton charge and fired in the air to disperse protesters in Mangaluru, as thousands of demonstrators hit the streets in many cities and towns across the state, defying prohibitory orders.

Historian Ramachandra Guha, who attempted to stage protest at the Town Hall area in Bengaluru, was removed from the spot and let off later.

Guha said it was "absolutely undemocratic" that police was not allowing even a peaceful protest.

Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said he instructed police to exercise restraint while handling agitations and alleged that Congress was behind the protests.

To allay fears among the Muslims, he said protecting their interests was the government's responsibility.

He held a meeting with senior police officials and reviewed security arrangements.

Protests were also held at Hubballi, Kalaburagi, Hassan, Mysuru and Ballary in Karnataka where police detained demonstrators for violation of prohibitory orders.

Sensing deterioration of the law and order situation, district authorities in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kalaburagi, Mangaluru, Belagavi, Hubballi, Shivamogga, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru and Chikkaballapura earlier imposed prohibitory orders under CrPc section 144 for the next three days starting from Thursday.

The order bans assembly of more than four people. In Hyderabad, hundreds of protestors, including activists of Left parties and about 50 students of the University of Hyderabad were taken into preventive custody to foil attempts to hold protests against the Act.

CPI national secretary K Narayana, party's Telangana state secretary Chada Venkat Reddy, Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) chief M Kodandaram were among 350 people taken into custody.

The police also prevented a protest rally by the Left parties against the CAA.

(With PTI inputs)