Breaking news on December 19

UP government orders suspension of mobile internet, SMS services till Saturday noon following violent protests.

Mobile Internet services suspended in Mangaluru city and Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka for 48 hours

Airtel shuts down internet services in Lucknow. More outages are expected in Airtel's network in the coming hours across the entire city. 

Amid protest over amended citizenship act, internet suspended in Ghaziabad.

 Section-144 of the CrPC imposed in 44 districts of Madhya Pradesh. 

Amid the protest over Citizenship Amendment Act, schools and colleges in Mangalore to remain closed tomorrow.

The Indian Railways has suffered a monetary loss of Rs. 100 crore over CAA protest 

Two people have died in the violence that ensued during the Citizenship Act protest in Karnataka's Mangalore. Earlier, police fired tear gas shells to disperse protesters. Mangalore police have claimed 8 cops were also injured in violent clashes. 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said: "This government has no right to shut down colleges, telephones and the Internet, to halt metro trains and to impose Section 144 to suppress India's voice & prevent peaceful protests. To do so is an insult to India’s soul."

West Bengal governor, Jagdeep Dhankhar said: "I request Mamata to retract her statement." Earlier, Mamata Banerjee had demanded that the UN referendum should be issued. 

Hundreds of protesters, including Samajwadi Party workers and leaders, were detained in Gorakhpur and other cities of eastern Uttar Pradesh during anti-citizenship law protests on Thursday after they defied prohibitory orders, police said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata said: Suddenly after 73 years of independence we have to prove that we are Indian citizens. Where was BJP's head and tail at that time, BJP is dividing the country. Don't stop your protest because we have to get #CAA revoked.

Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav has been released by Delhi Police, after being detained in the morning while protesting the Citizenship Amendment Act. He is on his way to Jantar Mantar to partake in demonstration now, his party said in a statement.

Protest against Citizenship Act has turned violent in Mangalore after police opened fire at the crowd that reportedly went unruly. Police say more than 20 cops also got injured in the clashes. In Lucknow, mob torched a police chowki and CNN News 18 OB Van during the protests following using water cannons and tear gas shells were fired on the protesters. 

Anti-CAA protesters torched vehicles in Lucknow's Madeyganj area as Uttar Pradesh Police used teargas shells and water cannons to a disperse a highly volatile crowd. Protesters also attacked CNN News 18 Television's OB Van at Lucknow's Parivartan Chowk. 

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh DGP, OP Singh at the spot in Hazratganj where violence broke out during protest against #CitizenshipAmendmentAct. pic.twitter.com/n9k7Tdxnw8

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 19, 2019

Police detained several hundred protesters in India's financial capital Mumbai Thursday as they defied a ban on assembly that authorities imposed to stop widespread demonstrations against a new citizenship law that opponents say threatens the country's secular democracy. 

Several people were held in Delhi, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, Patna and many other cities and towns. 

16 flights have been delayed due to traffic jam at NH-8. IndiGo has cancelled 19 flights, after its crew members got stuck in traffic jam in the city and, also due to other issues.

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder Chairman, Bharti Airtel, on internet services halted in some parts of Delhi said: "We are bound by the order of the government. We are following their order."

Delhi court extends till Dec 26 ED custody of ex-Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Singh in RFL money laundering case

Lawyers in court chant "shame, shame" after HC declines interim protection to students.

Congress core group meeting to be held at Sonia Gandhi's residence later today over 'unrest across the country after Citizenship Amendment Act'. 

Protest in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow turned violent today as protesters torched a police station. People also torched several vehicles in a protest that was called for Citizenship Act. In another incident, a bus was set on fire on Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district. 

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on Thursday closed entry and exit gates of 19 stations including the busy Rajiv Chowk for commuters in view of protests in the national capital against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

Earlier, the DMRC had tweeted that Janpath station's gates were also closed and that trains will not be halting there. Before Janpath, the DMRC had closed Barakhamba Road and Mandi House stations.

Other closed stations included: Patel Chowk, Lok Kalyan Marg, Udyog Bhawan, ITO, Pragati Maidan and Khan Market. The gates of Central Secretariat were also closed but interchange facility was available there for passengers. Jasola Vihar Shaheen Bagh, Lal Quila, Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and Vasant Vihar have also been shut.

Internet services have been suspended in Sambhal District after a public bus was set ablaze and another was damaged as protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act turned violent in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district.

"Internet services have been suspended till further orders, following violence during a protest over Citizenship Act," said Sambhal District Magistrate.

In Gujarat, police resorted to lathi-charge during protest called by different Left parties, over Citizenship Amendment Act in Ahmedabad. The protesters were allegedly blocking police vehicle when the police resorted to lathicharge to disperse them.

Historian Ramchandra Guha and scores of protesters detained in Karnataka. Bengaluru saw heavy police deployment but police could not stop students from holding a massive rally despite Sec 144. Protests were held at several places in Karnataka including Hubballi, Kalaburagi, Hassan, Mysuru and Ballary where police detained demonstrators who violated prohibitory orders.

"Still we Rise. India is standing up. This government stands exposed and discredited. This is a day when love and solidarity face down bigotry and fascism. Everybody has joined in to protest against the unconstitutional CAB and NRC. "We are Dalits, Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Adivasis, Marxists, Ambedkarites, Farmers, Workers, Academics, Writers, Poets, Painters and most of all Students who are the future of this country. This time you will not stop us," Arundhati Roy was quoted by PTI.

Author and historian Ramchandra Guha was among those who were detained by the police as nationwide protests broke out against the contentious law.

The protest against Citizenship Act in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal turned violent when protesters torched a bus. Heavy security deployment was seen on the streets with sporadic incidents from people holding the rally. The city administration has appealed to people to not take law in their hands. 

Traffic at several places in Delhi crippled after citizens in various parts of national capital took to streets protesting the new Citizenship Act. Mandi House, Jama Masjid, Okhla, Seelampur among others. Delhi Police imposed Section 144 of CrPC that prohibited an assembly of more than 5 people at one place. 

"Traffic is heavy in the carriageway from Delhi Gate to GPO due to Swabhiman Rally. Traffic is effected on Subhash Marg, Peeli Kothi, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Marg, Red Fort, Old Delhi Railway Station," Delhi Police said in a tweet. 

Delhi Traffic Police: Traffic is heavy in the carriageway from Aya Nagar Border to Delhi and Kapashera Border to Delhi due to demonstration.

Voicing a strong protest against the new Citizenship Act, Member of Parliament Pappu Yadav said the new law is unacceptable. "We will do a Satyagrah. Will not present any documents if asked," Pappu Yadav said amid slogans against the new law. "This is about right to life," Pappu Yadav said. 

"Hum goli khane ko tayar hain (ready to face bullets)," Pappu Yadav said. 

A nationwide-protest has rocked the normal life in several cities across India. Protesters were holding rallies in Bengaluru, Patna, Delhi, Chennai against government's new Citizenship Amendment Act. In Delhi, several Opposition leaders from Congress and Left parties were detained. 

Metro stations at Delhi's Central Secretariat, Mandi House, Jama Masjid, Red Fort and several other stations were cancelled despite ban on protests. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank appealed to students for calm. "We are ready to talk to students and allay their concerns," Ravi Shankar Prasad said. "Muslims are an integral part of this country and they should not fear," Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

The country's financial capital Mumbai functioned normally on Thursday, while some pockets in Maharashtra observed a complete shutdown as part of the 'Bharat bandh' to protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

However, major political parties, social groups, NGOs - barring the state Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - will organise a protest at the historic August Kranti Maidan in south Mumbai in the evening, where a large number of students and youth are likely to join.

The Cyberabad police on Thursday detained nearly 100 students of the University of Hyderabad as they were heading to participate in a rally here called by the Left parties to protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

The police whisked away the students from the main gate of the university at Gachibowli and shifted them to Moinabad police station on the city outskirts.

"The students had boarded a bus to leave for the march but police entered the bus and diverted it towards Financial District," Kuldeep, a leader of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) said. 

Petition filed before Karnataka HC challenging imposition of Section 144 in the state. Many protests were planned today in Bangalore and District HQ. CJ Abhay Oka has posted the matter for hearing on December 21

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed to his British counterpart Boris Johnson that his re-election to the top post reflected the fate reposed by the people of the UK in him and his Conservative Party. Modi conveyed this over a telephonic conversation with Johnson.

Johnson on his part thanked the PM Modi for his wishes and expressed his commitment to further strengthen India-UK ties, the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement. Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to Johnson to visit India at his early convenience. The invitation was accepted, the statement added. 

Scores of protestors were detained by the Delhi Police near Red Fort when they tried to take out a march in defiance of the prohibitory orders imposed there to protest the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

Swarajya Abhiyan chief Yogendra Yadav was among those detained, officials said. Protestors, which included activists and students, were dragged into buses in a bid to clear the area. Holding placards and shouting slogans, the protesters allowed themselves to be escorted to the buses.

The Delhi Police made 12 fresh arrests in connection with the violence during protests in the northeast part of the city against the amended Citizenship Act, officials said on Thursday. The police had arrested nine people on Tuesday and Wednesday in connection with the violence.

Giving details of the arrests, officials said while 12 people were nabbed in connection with the violence and vandalism in Seelampur, five have been held for the Jafrabad case and four in the Dayal Pur cases.

Angry protesters demanding scrapping of the amended legislation had pelted police personnel with stones, torched several motorbikes and vandalised two police booths as well as three buses in Seelampur on Tuesday, leaving 21 people injured.

Defying prohibitory orders, opposition Samajwadi Party legislators and leaders held a protest outside the Vidhan Bhawan here on Thursday against the amended Citizenship Act.

They gathered outside the Assembly building in the morning ahead of the sitting of the state legislature, despite tight security arrangements and shouted slogans against the contentious legislation.

The SP leaders assembled under the statue of Chaudhary Charan Singh before staging the protest. Later, when the Assembly met for the day, the SP lawmakers raised the issue inside the House creating uproar. Prohibitory orders banning large gatherings have been imposed across Uttar Pradesh. 

Delhi Police PRO MS Randhawa, at Red Fort where Section 144 is imposed said: We request protest organizers to hold protests at designated places only. I appeal to all to cooperate with the police.

Bengaluru City Police say "Some people are spreading rumours. We request citizens not to give attention to them."

Historian Ramchandra Guha was detained during a protest in Bengaluru against the Citizenship Amendment law. He was protesting at the Town Hall in the city where Section 144 or a ban on large gatherings has been banned.

Swaraj India President Yogendra Yadav has been detained by Delhi Police at Red Fort while protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Yadav chanted slogans of "Bharat Mata ki Jai" while he was being taken to the police station.

Delhi Police have detained protesters near Red Fort. Section-144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure has been imposed near Red Fort.

Consortium of Left-wing & Muslim organisation hold protest in Karnataka's Kalaburagi against Citizenship Amendment Act. Police have detained more than 20 protesters.

Karnataka CM: Congress is behind protests against CAA, & because of people like UT Khader situation is becoming like this. Taking care of Muslims is our responsibility. Request all to maintain peace. If Congress leaders continue to support protests then they'll face consequences.

Chennai Police have revoked permission for today’s rally to be held against Citizenship Act in Valluvar Kottam,Tamil Nadu. 

The Central Secretariat Metro Station in Delhi has also been closed. As of now, 14 metro stations in Delhi have been closed.

Delhi Police said: Section 144 has been imposed in two areas in the national capital. One in North East district and the other one at the area surrounding Red Fort. 

Delhi High Court has adjourned hearing for 24th January, 2020 as convict Pawan Kumar Gupta's lawyer Advocate AP Singh has sought time to file fresh documents in the matter. 

Pawan Kumar Gupta is one of the four convicts in Nirbhaya case, who has moved the court claiming that he was a juvenile at the time of the offence in 2012 and should be treated under the Juvenile Justice Act.

Muslim organisations in Chandigarh hold protest against Citizenship Act and the National Register of Citizens.

Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa on CAA said: "I request Muslim friends, you'll face no problem because of this act [CAA]. We are all here for you. Please cooperate. Let's maintain peace. No protest for or against. Section 144 is in place. Request everyone to cooperate."

Entry and exit gates at several metro stations in Delhi have been closed on Thursday, to protest against the amended Citizenship Act. 

"Entry & exit gates of Jamia Millia Islamia, Jasola Vihar Shaheen Bagh and Munirka are closed. Trains will not be halting at these stations," the DMRC said through its Twitter handle. 

Entry and exit gates of Lal Quila, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and Vishwavidyalaya have also been closed and trains will not be halting at these stations. 

In another tweet, the DMRC said, "Entry and exit gates of Patel Chowk, Lok Kalyan Marg, Udyog Bhawan, ITO, Pragati Maidan and Khan Market are closed. Trains will not be halting at these stations."

In an advisory, the Delhi Traffic Police today said, "Road No. 13A between Mathura Road and Kalindi Kunj is closed for traffic movement. People coming from Noida are advised to take DND or Akshardham to reach Delhi."

After Delhi Police, Hyderabad Police has also denied permission to hold any rally, procession or any outdoor program. "All are advised that no permission has been given by the police for any rally, procession or any outdoor programs regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act. Therefore you are requested not to believe in any messages circulating on social media or other mediums which are calling for such programs," said SHO of Charminar police station.

The Delhi Police have refused to give permission for the protest march to be held by a communist party from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar. 

Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (prohibits assembly of more than 4 people in an area) has been imposed near Red Fort.

Market off to a choppy start; Sensex slips 49.03 pt to 41,509.54; Nifty declines 7.05 pts to 12,214.60.

All India Students Federation (AISF) members stop the train at Rajendra Nagar railway station in Bihar's Patna in protest against Citizenship Act and National Register of Citizens.

A Shiv Sena functionary was injured after an unidentified person opened fire on him in suburban Vikhroli on Thursday morning, a police official said.
The incident took place around 8 am near Sai Mandir in Tagor Nagar area of Vikhroli, he said.

The Sena functionary, identified as Shekhar Jadhav, sustained injuries on his hand and was admitted to Godrej Hospital in Vikhroli, the official said.
The assailant was caught by passers-by and handed over to police, he added.​

• "When you have such an important relationship, it gives us the ability to talk about all major challenges in the world whether it is China, Russia or North Korea."
• "India is a very very important friend to the United States, someone that we lean upon in helping us solve these big problems."
• "We have a number of issues as it relates to counter-terrorism, economics, trade, security & then what's most important is that world's oldest & world's largest democracies talk on a range of these issues."
• "India is someone credibly important to us in a number of institutions around the world & the relationship is very important in the President Trump’s Indo-Pacific strategy."
• "It shows the significance of the US bilateral relationship with India that we were able to have this conversation."

Pakistani troops on Thursday violated ceasefire by firing small arms and shelling mortar bombs on forward posts and villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesperson said.

The firing from across the border in Mankote sector was retaliated befittingly by the Indian Army, he said, adding there was no immediate report of any casualty on the Indian side.

"At about 7.15 am, Pakistan initiated the unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing of small arms and shelling with mortars," the spokesperson said.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has again written a letter to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council to raise the Kashmir issue.

Prime Minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa arrives in Delhi on a two-day visit to India. He will attend the 2nd meeting of Organising Committee on the celebrations for 150th Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today. The Portuguese PM will also hold official talks with PM Modi.

The House of Representatives has passed two articles of impeachment against US President Donald Trump.