The Centre is considering sending additional companies of central paramilitary forces to Assam, Tripura and other parts of Northeast to quell the violent protests over the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, sources in the Union home ministry said.
The protests in the northeastern states since Wednesday prompted the government to deploy an additional 5,000 troops. Nearly 20 companies (2,000 personnel) of central paramilitary forces were withdrawn from Kashmir. “Considering the precarious situation in Assam and other parts of Northeast, the Centre is all set to send another 30 companies of central paramilitary forces,” said a ministry official. Sources in the army headquarters said a total of 25 columns of the army have been deployed in Assam.