Anti-CAA protesters accuse cops of snatching blankets

A group of women continued their protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at the Ghantaghar Park in Lucknow on Sunday with some of them alleging that police took away their blankets, a charge dismissed by the police.

On the lines of Delhi's Shaheen Bagh, around 50 women along with children have been squatting near the Clock Tower in Lucknow's old quarters protesting the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The women protesters alleged that blankets provided to them by some organisations were taken away by police.

Rubbishing the claims made by women protesters, the Lucknow Police in a tweet said, 'During the illegal protest going at Lucknow's Ghantaghar Park (Clock Tower), some people tried to make a 'gheraa' (cordon) using ropes and sticks, and also tried to put sheets.

'They were not allowed to do so. Some organisations were distributing blankets in park premises. As a result of which, people living in the vicinity, who are not a part of the protests, were coming to take the blankets.'

'Police removed those persons and organisations distributing blankets there, and action is being initiated against them,' the Lucknow Police said, and urged people not to spread rumours.

Lucknow's Police Commissioner Sujeet Pandey also dismissed the allegations levelled by the protesters.

A 27-second video clip emerged on social media which purportedly shows a policeman carrying blankets and sheets in a plastic bag.

A woman could be seen in the video shouting at him and calling him 'thief', but police personnel did not respond to it.

The indefinite protest by women at the national capital's Shaheen Bagh against the CAA and NRC has been going on for over a month now.

The protest at Lucknow's Ghantaghar started Friday night.

Besides Delhi, protests have unfolded in several parts of the country over the contentious law since it was passed on December 11 and have led to clashes at several places including Uttar Pradesh.

According to the amended law, 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.

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One more case filed against anti-CAA protesters in Muzaffarnagar; tally up to 50

Police has registered one more case against unidentified persons in connection with violence here during protests against the CAA on the complaint of a commandant of the Rapid Action Force.

With this, the number of cases filed against anti-CAA protesters has reached 50 in Muzaffarnagar.

In the first information report lodged with the Civil Lines police station under Indian Penal Code sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon) and 147 (punishment for rioting), it is alleged that the protesting mob pelted stones at the RAF personnel.

Later, the protesters dispersed after the RAF started firing tear gas shells during the protests in Muzaffarnagar on December 21, the complaint stated.

The incident took place when a company of the RAF was posted at the Civil Lines police station area when violence broke out during protests.