Breaking news, December 16, 2019 | As it happened

Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane to be next Chief of Army Staff: Sources

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre and the Delhi Government to set up a 'smog tower' to fight pollution in the capital. SC gave the government 3 months to do so. A Bench, comprising Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Deepak Gupta, didn't agree with authorities' submissions seeking time until August-September 2020. "We don't want to waste one more year," said the Bench.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee wrote to the Governor, "Really sorry to see your frequent tweets and press briefings criticizing State Govt...Prime focus of the state administration is to maintain peaceful situation as against what is going on throughout the country"

Governor Jagdeep Dhankar replied to Mamata, "Even on current critical situation in the State, I've not been briefed by State Govt. I'd like that we in tandem, in larger public interest work so that people of West Bengal get respite from violence and peace is restored".

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee: If you want to dismiss my government, you can, but I will never allow Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Bengal. If they want to implement CAA, they will have to do it over my dead body.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC): Entry & exit gates at all stations have been opened. Normal services have resumed in all stations.

Internet services have been suspended in Aligarh (city) till tomorrow midnight amid continuing protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

In light of the protests at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), authorities in the city have decided that internet services will remain suspended till midnight tomorrow.

The Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has filed a complaint against deputy CM Manish Sisodia with the Delhi Police, alleging that he was involved in "riots" at Jamia Milia Islamia on Sunday. The complaint also names  AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan among others.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said that she won't allow the Citizenship Amendment Act to be implemented in West Bengal, after being summoned by the Governor for a Tuesday appointment.

"If you want to dismiss my government, you can, but I will never allow the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Bengal. If they want to implement CAA, they will have to do it over my dead body," ANI quoted her as saying.

The Muslim Advocates Association has approached the Supreme Court challenging the  Citizenship Amendment Act and demanded that it declared as unconstitutional, ANI reports.

The curfew imposed in Guwahati during the day hours has been withdrawn, state minister and senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma has said. Sarma, however, added that the curfew during night time remained in place.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has written to Delhi Commissioner of Police, Amulya Patnaik over "reports of sexual harassment & thrashing of female students by male police officers".

The NCW has asked him to "investigate, take action and file a detailed action taken report."

The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked the states to take all measures to protect life and property of citizens in the wake of violence over the Citizenship Amendment Act.

The Federation of Central Universities Teachers' Associations (FEDCUTA) has hit out at Delhi Police and the government over crackdown on students protestors at Jamia Milia Islamia on Sunday.

"The FEDCUTA appeals to all democratic sections to stand up against the targeting of campuses and to rally against this undemocratic and unconstitutional means of settling issues which will harm the secular fabric of the country," the association of central universities' teachers said in a statement on Monday.

"The FEDCUTA demands that an independent judicial enquiry be instituted to fully investigate police excesses and to take necessary action. We also demand that FIRs against students be withdrawn and all steps be taken to restore normalcy on campuses," it added.

• Congress President Sonia Gandhi said on Monday that the BJP government has launched a war on the people of India, as she spoke out on the ongoing protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act.
• The Rae Bareli MP further accused the Centre of creating an atmosphere of religious hysteria in the country.
• The duty of the government is to maintain law and order, she said.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has joined the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill in New Delhi. Vadra is staging a dharna at India Gate, along with other senior party leaders.

Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Sambit Patra has attacked the opposition parties for inciting the people of the country on the Citizenship Amendment Act. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Patra took a swipe at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi as well as AAP MLA Amanatulla Khan

Delhi court to hear arguments on quantum on sentence for Kuldeep Sengar on Wednesday.

Tis Hazari Court to pronounce quantum of sentence given to Kuldeep Sengar for raping and abducting minor girl in Unnao, on December 19

Expelled BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar has been convicted by the Tis Hazari Court in the Unnao rape and kidnapping case. 

An ANI reporter and cameraperson have been assaulted outside Holy Family Hospital, in Okhla. More details awaited.

The Home Ministry on Monday clarified that Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has not sought an appointment to meet union Home Minister Amit Shah. Earlier, in a press conference, Kejriwal said that he sought time from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying he is worried about the situation in Delhi, amid protests in Jamia Millia Islamia University. 

Delhi Police PRO, MS Randhawa addresses the media over Sunday's incident at Jamia Millia Islamia, where many students were allegedly beaten by the Delhi police personnel.

Here are the pointers from his address:

• Protesters tried to provoke us.
• Yesterday around 2 pm protest happened, locals also participated, our staff showed maximum restraint despite provocations. Around 4:30 pm some protesters went towards Mata Mandir marg and set a bus on fire.
• Two FIRs registered in Jamia Nagar protest.
• Crime Branch to investigate the violence and JMI on Sunday.
• We used minimum force, exercised maximum restraint.
• Four DTC buses torched, at least 100 vehicles damaged. 
• 30 cops injured in violence on Sunday.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata, took a protest march against NRC and CAA. While speaking to the crowd, she said, "We will continue our protest till the Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens (NRC) are withdrawn."

She further said, "Only BJP will remain here and everyone else will be made to leave-it's their politics. It'll never happen. India is everyone's. Agar sabka sath nahi rahega toh sabka vikas kaise hoga? Who is the Citizenship Act for? We're all citizens. Didn't you cast vote? Don't you live here?"

"Once I was alone. Today Delhi's CM says that he won't allow this. Bihar's CM says that he won't allow NRC, I tell him don't allow Citizenship Amendment Act too. MP's CM said that, Punjab's CM said that, Chhattisgarh's CM said that, Kerala'a CM said that, everyone has to say it."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday addressed an election in Jharkhand for the ongoing assembly elections. Here are the pointers from his speech:

• Forcible religious conversion had long been a problem in Jharkhand; Raghubar Das govt successfully implemented anti- conversion act.
• Sahebganj in Jharkhand was trade corridor for Europe, Asia; Congress governments ruined all business avenues.
• Atal Bihari Vajpayee helped create Jharkhand, Narendra Modi developed the state, buried naxalism 20-ft deep.
• Ram Temple to be constructed in the next four months. 

Actor Kamal Haasan's party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) today filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019.

CPI leader, D Raja said, "As far as Left parties are concerned, we have given a call for countrywide protest on December 19. We hope that the protest will be a massive one. We appeal to all secular, democratic forces to join in the protest against Citizenship Amendment Act."

Amid nationwide protests over CAA, PM Modi tweets, "Violent protests on the Citizenship Amendment Act are unfortunate and deeply distressing. Debate, discussion and dissent are essential parts of democracy but, never has damage to public property and disturbance of normal life been a part of our ethos."

He further wrote "I want to unequivocally assure my fellow Indians that CAA does not affect any citizen of India of any religion. No Indian has anything to worry regarding this Act. This Act is only for those who've faced yrs of persecution outside & have no other place to go except India."

"The need of the hour is for all of us to work together for the development of India and the empowerment of every Indian, especially the poor, downtrodden and marginalised. We cannot allow vested interest groups to divide us and create a disturbance," he added.

A scuffle broke out between the activists from the National Students Union of India and Delhi Police on the Delhi University campus on Monday. The NSUI activists were protesting against Delhi Police for their action at Jamia Milia Islamia on Sunday

SC sets up committee of two judges to look into expeditious disposal of rape cases across country.

While speaking to Jamia Millia Islamia registrar said, students were not involved in protest outside the campus.

An estimated 44.65 per cent of over 47 lakh electorate cast their votes till 1 pm Monday in the fourth phase of Jharkhand Assembly elections in 15
constituencies, Election Commission (EC) officials said.

Polling, which began at 7 am, is going on peacefully in the constituencies spread over Giridih, Deoghar, Dhanbad and Bokaro districts, they said.

Voting will end at 3 pm at Jamua, Bagodar, Giridih, Dumri and Tundi while the exercise will continue till 5 pm in the remaining seats, they said.

Parents stage protest at the private school in Beas, Punjab where an 8-year-old girl student was allegedly raped by a Class 10 student two days ago. Police says, "the accused has been arrested, case registered".

"Police can't enter into university premises without the permission of Vice-Chancellor. If they weren't permitted, how did Police, which comes under Central govt, enter into the campus? We condemn it. There should be a judicial inquiry," says Gulam Nabi Azad.

Mumbai Police submits charge-sheet in Punjab & Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank case, at a Mumbai Court. The formal process of filing is still underway.

A video went viral on social media showed law enforcement personnel emptying jars into a vandalised bus and cars and setting it on fire amid Jamia students protest. Here's the truth behind the viral video.

Allahabad High Court disqualifies Abdullah Azam Khan from the membership of the State Legislative Assembly in connection with the fake affidavit. He was the MLA from Suar of Rampur. He is the son of senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan.

Whipping up people’s emotions on issues like CAA only shows Congress’ frustration, says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. 

"I don't know what happened at Jamia last night; we must be wary of jihadists, Maoists, separatists getting into student protests," she added.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee takes out a protest march in Kolkata against Citizenship Amendment Act, NRC.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee takes out a protest march against Citizenship Amendment Act and NRC.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal: I am very worried over the worsening law and order situation in Delhi. To ensure peace returns to the city immediately, I have sought time from Home Minister Amit Shah for a meeting

Najma Akhtar, Vice-Chancellor at Jamia Milia Islamia addresses press conference over CAA protests. Here are the pointers: 

- The police entered the Jamia campus without permission.

- Such behaviour by the Delhi Police will not be entertained.

- I appeal to everyone to not pay heed to any rumours related to the ongoing protests.

- Police lathicharge students inside the library at the campus.

- Police atrocities on Jamia students is unfortunate.

- We will file an FIR in connection with police entering the Jamia campus without permission.

- We have a list of injured students in police atrocities.

- Those who demonstrated on the road were not from Jamia.

- I demand the campus at Jamia should be secured and no one should target the University.

- Jamia comprises of students from across the country and some foreign students. I appeal to everyone to not tarnish the image of the University.

- Jamia Millia Islamia will present facts to HRD minister.

- There has been huge damage to university property.

- We have list of 200 students injured during Sunday's violence

Students of Islamic seminary Nadwatul Ulama here on Monday tried to take out a protest outside the institute's campus against the amended Citizenship Act and indulged in stone-pelting. However, police prevented them from coming out.

"Some students of Nadwatul Ulama here tried to protest and hurled stones from inside. They were prevented and no one is allowed to come outside the campus," DGP OP Singh told PTI.

He said the situation is under control and one was injured in the protest.

"Senior officers including District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police are on the spot," he added.

A section of a bridge located over a river collapsed in Maharashtra's Pune district on Monday morning, a police official said. No casualty was reported in the mishap, he said.

"A section of the bridge, located on the Indrayani river and connecting Ambi village to Talegaon industrial area in Maval tehsil, collapsed after one of its supporting pillars caved-in around 6.30 am," a police official said.

"Fortunately, no one was on the bridge at the time of the incident, he added. 

BSP President Mayawati on Monday termed as "unfortunate" the violence in Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia against the amended Citizenship Act and demanded a judicial inquiry.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also appealed to all communities to maintain calm after violence rocked the two universities.

"The violence against the new Citizenship Amendment Act, first in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh and then in Jamia University and entire Jamia region in which many innocent students and common people were targeted is very unfortunate and the party is with the victims," she said in a tweet.

WPI inflation rises to 0.58 per cent in Nov from 0.16 per cent in Oct: Govt data

"The CAB and NRC are weapons of mass polarisation unleashed by fascists on India. The best defence against these dirty weapons is peaceful, non-violent Satyagraha. I stand in solidarity with all those protesting peacefully against the CAB and NRC," Congress MP Rahul Gandhi tweets.

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear on December 18 (Wednesday) a petition on the Telangana police's 'encounter' against the four accused in the case of gang-rape and murder of a 25-year-old woman veterinarian in Hyderabad.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde said it will also examine what is being monitored by Telangana High Court. The petition filed by two lawyers on Saturday have sought registration of FIR against policemen and an independent probe into the matter.

The four accused in the case were killed in an 'encounter' on December 6.

 A section of a bridge located over a river collapsed in Maharashtra's Pune district on Monday morning, a police official said.

No casualty was reported in the mishap, he said.

"A section of the bridge, located on the Indrayani river and connecting Ambi village to Talegaon industrial area in Maval Tehsil, collapsed after one of its supporting pillars caved-in around 6.30 am," a police official said.

"Fortunately, no one was on the bridge at the time of the incident, he added.

Police has closed the gate of the college from outside. Slogans in support of Jamia students raised by protesters. "There was stone pelting for about 30 seconds when around 150 people had come out to protest and raise slogans. The situation is normal now. Students are going back to their classrooms," says  Superintendent of Police Lucknow, Kalanidhi Naithani.

A plea was moved in the Delhi High Court on Monday against the police action on students at the Jamia Millia Islamia University on Sunday night. A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar declined to list the plea for urgent hearing, saying there was "no urgency in the matter".

The plea sought judicial inquiry into the action taken by the police, including allegedly firing at the students. It also seeks proper medical treatment and compensation for the injured students.

SC agrees to hear on December 18 pleas of Congress and ex-Maharaja of Tripura challenging Citizenship Amendment Act. 

 "We are not against peaceful demonstrations but we can't allow people to go on streets, indulge in rioting," SC on Citizenship Act protests.

CJI SA Bobde says 'Just because they happen to be students, it doesn't mean they can take law and order in their hands, this has to be decided when things cool down. This is not the frame of mind when we can decide anything. Let the rioting stop.'

Senior advocate Indira Jaising mentioned Jamia Millia Islamia & Aligarh Muslim University incidents before a bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde. Jaising asks SC to take suo motu cognizance of the issue saying'It's a very serious human rights violation all over the country.'

Speaking to which Chief Justice of India SA Bobde said, 'We will determine the rights but not in the atmosphere of riots, let all of this stop and then we will take suo motu cognizance. We are not against rights and peaceful demonstrations'.

Youth Congress workers waved black flags at Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla on Monday morning at nearby Aluva in protest against the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), passed by the Parliament. Heptulla was on her way to board a flight to Lakshadweep from the Nedumbassery an airport when the incident occurred.

The protesters were removed by police after which the governor proceeded to the airport. According to the amended Act, 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.

Two FIRs over property damage and riots have been registered by Police in connection with violence during protests in Jamia Nagar area.

Due to agitation at different places in Katihar Division of Northeast Frontier Railway, 12042 Down New Jalpaiguri- Howrah Shatabdi Express and 12041 Up Howrah - New Jalpaiguri Shatabdi Express will remain cancelled today.

After Jamia Millia Islamia and AMU, Students of Lucknow's Darul Uloom joins anti-CAA protest on Monday.

TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu along with other party workers stages a protest by walking backwards in Amaravati, against the state government alleging that govt is pushing the development works in the state backward.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed the armed forces for India's victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, saying the history created by the soldiers will be written in golden letters. On this day in 1971, over 90,000 Pakistani soldiers had surrendered before Indian troops, bringing to an end the bitterly fought war on the eastern and western fronts.

It also led to the creation of Bangladesh.

"On Vijay Diwas, I pay tributes to the courage, valour and bravery of Indian soldiers. The history that our troops created on this day will be embossed in golden letters," Modi tweeted. 

December 16 is observed as Vijay Diwas.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has appealed to the Centre to repeal the amended Citizenship Act while urging the Union Home Minister and the Delhi Chief Minister to do all it takes to bring the situation under control.

Protestors had torched four public buses and two police vehicles as they clashed with police in New Friends' Colony near Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi during a demonstration against the amended Citizenship Act on Sunday, leaving nearly 60 people including students, cops and firefighters injured.

11.85 per cent voting till 9 am in the fourth phase of polling for Jharkhand Assembly election.

Market benchmark BSE Sensex jumped over 175 points to hit its record high of 41,185.03 in opening session on Monday tracking global euphoria over the US-China trade deal. After starting significantly higher, the 30-share index pared gains to trade 15.33 points or 0.04 per cent up at 41,025.04. Similarly, the broader Nifty was trading 5.75 points or 0.05 per cent up at 12,092.45.

Kotak Bank was the top gainer in the Sensex pack rising up to 2.01 per cent, followed by HCL Tech, Tech Mahirdra, TCS, Bajaj Auto and SBI.

On the other hand, Sun Pharma was the top loser, shedding up to 1.57 per cent. Yes Bank, HUL, ITC, Bajaj Finance and Axis Bank were also trading in the red.

Curfew relaxed in Guwahati today between 6 am - 8 pm. Curfew has been relaxed between 6 am - 8 pm in the Dibrugarh district tomorrow.

Election Commission of India has sought Rahul Gandhi's response on Union Minister Smriti Irani's complaint against him for his 'rape in India' remark.

The three service chiefs, Army Chief Bipin Rawat, Indian Air Force Chief, RKS Bhadauria and Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Karambir Singh, and MoS Defence Shripad Naik, pay tribute at National War Memorial on Vijay Diwas in New Delhi.

A student of Jamia Millia Islamia stripped off to show his protest against the Delhi police brutality at the Jamia campus on Sunday. 

Hyderabad's Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) students' union writes to controller of examination of university, stating 'due to protests by MANUU students against police's attack on Jamia and AMU students, MANUU students are boycotting exams, request you to postpone the same'.

As a precautionary measure following yesterday's protests, Delhi Traffic Police has closed traffic movement from Sarita Vihar to Kalindi Kunj, road no. 13A.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on Monday announced that entry and exit gates at all stations have been opened. Normal services have resumed in all stations. Due to massive protests at various locations in Delhi against the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, DMRC closed gates of several metro stations.

As the fourth phase polling for Jharkhand Assembly election is underway, PM Modi urged voters to cast their votes. He took to his Twitter handle and wrote, "Today is voting for the fourth phase of Jharkhand Assembly Polls. I appeal to all the voters to cast their votes and participate in this festival of democracy."

Amid nationwide violent protest against the passage of Citizenship Amendment Bill in the parliament, schools in South Delhi to remain closed today. While Jamia Millia University to be closed till January 6. On the other hand, Aligarh Muslim University also to remain close till January 5. 

As many as 50 students, who were detained during protests at the Jamia Millia Islamia University here on Sunday, were released in the early hours of Monday, police said.

Of the 50 students, 35 were released from the Kalkaji police station and 15 from the New Friends Colony police station, a senior police officer said.

Earlier on Sunday night, the Delhi Minority Commission (DMC) issued a direction to the SHO of Kalkaji Police Station to release the "injured" Jamia students held there or take them for treatment at a reputed hospital without any delay.