Amid the raging protests in Assam against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, reports have emerged that the state’s police personnel barged into the office of a private TV news channel and beat up its employees.
At around 6 pm, Assam police personnel entered the campus of Prag News and beat up some staffers sitting outside the building. Later, they entered the building and manhandled other employees near the reception area, as per a Scroll report.
“It was completely unprovoked and we demand an unconditional apology from Assam police.”Pranay Bordoloi, Prag News managing editor, to Scroll
Bordoloi added that 45 minutes before the incident took place, the police had dispersed the crowd in the locality asking them to move inside.
According to Bordoloi, there was no reason for the police to enter a media office, reported Scroll.
The indefinite curfew which was in force in Dibrugarh municipal area was relaxed for 5 hours on Friday, 13 December, even as large number of people gathered in Chandmari area of Guwahati to observe a fast called by the All Assam Students Union (AASU) to protest against the Citizenship Act, reported PTI.
A large number of people, including artists, singers and film stars are observing a 10-hour fast called by the influential students organisation against the Citizenship Act from 6 am.
“We will not succumb to any pressure and our agitation will continue.”Samujjal Bhattacharya, AASU Chief advisor
On Thursday, two persons were killed in police firing and thousands descended on streets defying curfew even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed his government was committed to safeguarding their rights.
Several towns and cities were placed under indefinite curfew, including Guwahati, the epicentre of protests, besides Dibrugarh, Tezpur and Dhekiajuli. Night curfew was imposed in Jorhat, Golaghat, Tinsukia and Charaideo districts, officials said.
Internet services in 10 districts were suspended for another 48 hours beginning 12 pm of Thursday, 12 December to prevent "misuse" of social media to disturb peace and tranquility, and to maintain law and order, officials said.
(With Inputs from Scroll & PTI)
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