Curfew relaxed in Guwahati as situation improves in Assam

 The curfew, enforced in Guwahati due to the volatile protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, was relaxed for seven hours since 9 a.m. on Saturday, as the situation improved in Assam.

With the prohibitory orders relaxed till 4 p.m., shops and markets opened in the capital city and some vehicles were seen plying on the roads.

However, schools continued to remain shut.

People lined up before shops selling essentials like food items and a large number of cars were seen outside petrol pumps for refuelling.

At least two people have died during violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, which is now a law after the President's assent.

On Thursday, thousands of people defied the curfew and took to the streets as the raging agitation saw the house of an MLA and a Circle Officer set ablaze, while the government removed two key police officers.

Two protesters with bullet wounds were taken to the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital, where one was declared dead before the other succumbed to injuries. At least 11 others were injured during the protests.

The All Assam Students Union (AASU), which is spearheading the protests, has called a three-day mass satyagraha in all district headquarters of the state from December 16.

Announcing the fresh agitation programme, AASU Chief Adviser Samujjal Bhattacharya on Friday coined the slogan "Repeal Citizenship Amendment Act or arrest me".

Bhattacharya said padyatra and protest meetings would be organised across the state and posters would be put up against the controversial law.

Meanwhile, authorities have rolled out measures to help the hundreds of passengers stranded at the airport, railways stations and inter-state bus terminals due to the protests which have led to suspension of flight, train and public road transport services.

Buses would ferry the stranded passengers to various parts of the city, an official said.IANS