Anti-CAA protests continue for third day in Tamil Nadu

Anti-CAA protests by members of Muslim community continued for the third day on Sunday in Old Washermanpet area in the city and some other parts of Tamil Nadu.

The fresh round of agitations against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), after a lull since December, followed the violence that broke out during a protest here on Friday in which four police personnel and some protesters suffered injuries.

Agitators at Old Washermanpet area raised slogans against CAA and sought its withdrawal during the protest, which was peaceful.

"Several Muslim outfits have joined hands and are taking part in the protest today. We seek withdrawal of the CAA..," a protester said.

The state had witnessed a series of protests against CAA by political parties, including the main opposition DMK and Congress, while some Muslim outfits too had hit the streets to register their opposition to the controversial law.

In a related development, several senior IPS officials have been assigned specified areas to maintain law and order.

"In view of the developments on CAA, NRC and NPR issues, officers are directed to take charge immediately of the areas noted, take stock of law and order development and adequate precautionary measures", the order issued by DGP J K Tripathy said.

A report from Coimbatore said members of various Muslim outfits continued their Shaheenbagh-like demonstration in Tirupur for the third day, condemning the police action on anti-CAA agitators in Chennai.

The protesters, including a large number of women, continued their sit-in on a road despite being asked to disperse, police said.

Meanwhile, the DMK on Sunday said the over two crore forms collected as part of an anti-CAA signature campaign by the party-led Secular Progressive Alliance in Tamil Nadu were sent to President Ram Nath Kovind.

Members of opposition parties including DMK, Congress and MDMK conducted the week-long signature campaign from February 2 demanding withdrawal of the Citizenship Amendment Act, National Population Register and the proposed National Register of Citizens.

DMK president M K Stalin had announced the campaign at a meeting of alliance party leaders here in January.

In a statement on Sunday, the DMK said over two crore signatures were received during the campaign and were sent to the President by flight.

"The signatures reflected the sentiments of the people against the CAA, NRC and NPR. Tamil Nadu is hopeful that the President would recommend withdrawal of CAA to safeguard democracy and Constitution...," the statement said.

The SPA has demanded that the CAA be withdrawn claiming that it affected Indian citizens.