Curfew relaxed in Guwahati till 4pm

The curfew, imposed in Guwahati amid protests against the controversial Citizenship Bill has been relaxed on Saturday from 9am to 4pm, police said.

According to sources, petrol pumps have also been opened with vehicles waiting in lines to refuel.

The bill has triggered massive protests in the northeast. Protesters descended on the streets of Assam, clashing with police and plunging the state into chaos.

Guwahati, the epicentre of anti-CAB protests, was placed under indefinite curfew on Wednesday night while the Army was called in at four places where clashes between protesters and police were witnessed.

Two protesters were also killed in police firing on Thursday.

Mobile and internet services were suspended across the state.

The contentious law promises citizenship to members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from three neighbouring countries till December 31, 2014 and have faced religious persecution there.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was passed by Rajya Sabha on Wednesday with 125 votes in favor of it and by Lok Sabha on Monday after heated debates.