In Uttar Pradesh, death toll reaches 16 in violence against Citizenship Bill

Lucknow : Protests were carried out against the Citizenship Bill on Saturday in many parts of the nation, while incidents of violence were reported in several parts of Uttar Pradesh. The death toll in UP has rose to 16 in incidents related to clash and violence.

While UP reported fresh violence, Bihar blocked highways and train routes to raise their voices against the government.

Protests in West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Maharashtra and the national capital were peaceful. Chennai continued to witness protests, with activists from several students’ organisations, including the Students Federation of India (SFI) and the Untouchablity Eradication Front, clashing with the police at the Dr. Puratchi Thalaivar MGR Central Railway Station.

In Rampur, a 25-year-old youth died and several others were injured after a fresh clash broke out between the police officials and the protesters. According to a report, protesters started stone pelting on the police officials and in retaliation the cops threw tear gas shells and pushed in lathi charge to disperse the protesters.

Many persons were injured in Kanpur, after protesters set the Yatimkhana police post on fire and threw stones at the police. Over 260 policemen were also injured, of whom 57 received gunshot wounds, IG (Law and Order) Praveen Kumar told PTI.

The Uttar Pradesh Police, however, maintained that there was not a single incident in the state where the cops have opened fire on the protesters.

“All the deaths that took place have been in crossfire, and this will become clear in the post-mortem examination,” DGP O.P. Singh told reporters. “Women and children were used as shields by the protesters,” he alleged. “If anyone died in our fire, we will conduct a judicial inquiry and take action. But nothing happened from our side,” he said.

Internet services remained suspended in parts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

While the BJP has announced a nationwide campaign to drum up support for the law, the Congress vowed to keep up the momentum of protests and announced a silent dharna at Rajghat for Monday.