Section-144 imposed in parts of India, 19 Delhi metro stations shut

The Delhi Police prepared for the protests in the national capital against the newly amended citizenship law with barricades at the city's borders with Gurugram and ordering Delhi Metro to shut down 14 stations.

Later, Delhi Metro shut down 19 metro stations on the instructions of the police in south Delhi around Jamia Millia Islamia University, Jawaharlal Nehru University and central Delhi.

In four tweets, Delhi Metro said entry and exit gates had been shut at Patel Chowk, Lok Kalyan Marg, Udyog Bhawan, ITO, Pragati Maidan, Khan Market, Lal Quila, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Vishwavidyalaya, Central Secretariat, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jasola Vihar Shaheen Bagh, Vasant Vihar, Mandi House and Munirka. "Trains will not be halting at these stations," it said.

Delhi police have detained protesters near Red Fort, the location for the main protest in the national capital called by Left parties and other groups., reported news agency PTI. 

The police, earlier in the morning, had imposed section-144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in the area.

Swarajya Abhiyan chief Yogendra Yadav and former JNU student-activist Umar Khalid amongst protesters were detained by police for protesting against Citizenship Act near Red Fort.

Moreover, police have detained historian Ramachandra Guha during a protest at Town Hall in Bengaluru, news agency ANI reported.

Telecom service provider Airtel has confirmed in a series of tweets responding to people that voice calls and data services have been suspended in parts of Delhi.

"We're complying with instructions received from govt. authorities on suspending Voice, SMS and data in certain areas in Delhi. Once the suspension orders are lifted, our services will be fully up and running. We're sorry about the inconvenience," said a statement released by the company.

Police officials across Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh on Thursday announced precautionary measures by imposing Section 144 ahead of call given for protests against Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.  

All schools and colleges in Karnataka's Kalaburagi will remain closed on Thursday, District Commissioner Sharath said.

In view of violence during demonstrations in different parts of the country against the amended citizenship law, the Uttar Pradesh police on Wednesday said no permission has been given for protests as prohibitory orders are in place in the entire state.

DCP Kalaburagi stated that Section 144, which prohibits the gathering of four or more people, will be imposed in the city from Thursday morning till December 21 late night.