Guwahati: Thousands of people, leaders, workers, and supporters of 70 ethnic organisations of Assam including farmer organisation Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and student organisation Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) gathered in Guwahati on Friday to stage a protest rally against the Citizenship Amendment Bill.

A large number of security personnel have been deployed in Guwahati and other parts of the state to maintain law and order.

Meanwhile, Assam police have imposed section 144 in Dispur. 

Over 10,000 students, leaders of the ethnic organisations and supporters took part in the protest rally as a warning against the Citizenship Bill. 

The Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016 aims to grant Indian citizenship to the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.

The protesters warned both the Centre and state government that they will continue their democratic movement against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016; the Foreigners (Amendment) Order, 2015; the Passport (Entry into India) Amendment Rules, 2015 and the proposed long-term visas to people from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan until they are cancelled.

On the other hand, the Assam police arrested over 1000 protesters from different parts of the state who were on the way to Guwahati to take part in the rally.

Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti leader Akhil Gogoi said that people of Assam are against the Bill and the people will not accept it at any cost.

The farmer leaders of Assam also threatened the government that the situation will turn violent if the Bill passes.