Anti-CAA protests: Policemen accused of taking away blankets

In an apparent bid to force the women, who had been on a 'dharna' at the historic 'Ghantaghar' (clock tower) Park in Lucknow against the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act for the past three days, the police allegedly seized blankets and eatables.

The cops also allegedly prevented the protesters from erecting a tent at the Park and booked some people, who were trying to help the women with blankets and food.

The administration, in an attempt to thwart protests and large gatherings, has imposed section 144 in the city in view of the forthcoming Defence Expo and Republic Day celebrations.

The police officials, however, rejected the allegations and clarified that the blankets were seized after ''following the due process of law''.

''The cops took away the blankets and eatables....how can they do so?......it is nothing but a tactic to force us to call off the dharna,'' said a protester on Sunday.

She, however, said that their protest would continue indefinitely. ''There is no question of calling off the protest,'' she added.

A senior police official rejected the allegations and said that some organisations were distributing blankets at the Park, where an ''illegal protest'' was underway, triggering chaos there as many people, who were not protesters, also tried to take the blankets.

''The police removed those people and seized the blankets after following the due process,'' said a Lucknow police release here.

The administration had earlier switched off the street lights and closed the public toilet near the venue in an unsuccessful bid to force them to end their protest.

According to a report from Aligarh, over 50 women, who had taken part in a protest against the CAA, were booked for violating the prohibitory orders.