With thousands protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill expected to descend on Guwahati on Friday, authorities slapped prohibitory orders banning the assembly of four or more people in the city.
Responding to the agitation planned by 70 organisations, thousands of people have taken part in motorcycle rallies held from different places of Assam and are on their way to Guwahati to protest against the controversial bill.
“We are taking preventive measures to ensure peaceful movement of public, smooth flow of traffic and normal functioning of offices in and around Guwahati,” said a senior official.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, generated strong opposition among various sections of people in Assam. The bill allows persecuted minorities in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to find a sanctuary in India.
“We are going to hold the demonstration at the Dispur Press Club at 10 am tomorrow. However, by imposing Section 144, the government is trying to stall our agitation,” said RTI activist and farmers’ body leader Akhil Gogoi.
Gogoi’s Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) is leading the agitation against the Citizenship Amendment Bill.
