NRC row: After scuffle with police, TMC lawmakers detained at Assam airport overnight
Follow UsStory highlights
Eight Trinamool Congress(TMC) members who were allegedly stopped at Assam's Silchar airport by police and detained later will be leaving later on Friday.
#WATCH: TMC’s Mahua Moitra seen assaulting lady constable who tried to restrain Mahua Moitra after TMC leaders were stopped at Silchar Airport. Constable received injuries. #NRCAssam pic.twitter.com/FJjNQ77ngO
— ANI (@ANI) August 2, 2018
On Thursday, the TMC lawmakers had decided to stay put at the airport after a scuffle with cops. The TMC members decided to stay at the airport as a mark of protest.
The police had put the eight members - six MPs and two MLAs - in preventive detention. The TMC members had decided to go to Assam to protest against the National Register of Citizens(NRC) which has led to a great deal of discontentment with over 40 lakh residents left out of the list.
The TMC leaders were barred from entering Guwahati in accordance to an order issued by city police commissioner Hiren Nath.
Two women constables of Assam police were injured during a scuffle with the TMC leaders, Assam Director General of Police (DGP) Kuladhar Saikia said.
"Peace, law and order cannot be allowed to be disturbed. The senior civil and police officials explained to the leaders that their going out for meetings will tantamount to violation of the prohibitory orders in force and it is the responsibility of the law enforcement authorities to prevent violation of law," Saikia added.
Guwahati police commissioner Nath, in an order, had said the TMC MPs, MLAs and any other political and non-political persons, who might deliver inflammatory speeches against the NRC, were prohibited from entering the city and address any gathering without the permission of the competent authority.
The police commissioner stated that it was feared that the TMC leaders were likely to make controversial or inflammatory speeches in Guwahati, which might disturb peace and harmony in the area.
"When the NRC process is going on under the direction of the Supreme Court and its complete draft was published with the cooperation of all people in Assam and there is peace in the state, one section is trying to destroy it by creating disturbances, we cannot allow them to take law into their hand. We cannot remain silent. We have to take measures," Saikia added.