Anti-Citizenship Bill protests being held by students of Jamia Millia University in New Delhi assumed violent tones as several buses were set on fire on Mathura Road near the University. As protests turned violent, police resorted to lathicharge and hurled tear gas shells at the protesters. The police have stopped traffic on Mathura Road as a precaution. Reportedly, stones were hurled at the police during the protests. It was reported that ‘unknown masked individuals’ entered the protesting crowd.

Saimon Farooqui, the national secretary of Congress-affiliated National Students’ Union of India, claimed the protesters were peacefully sitting on Mathura Road when policemen tried to “trouble” a couple of them, who resisted.

A Jamia Millia Islamia students’ group said they had nothing to do with the arson and violence. They alleged that “local elements” joined the protest and “disrupted” it.

Jamia Millia Islamia University has issued a statement saying that its students were not involved in violence that took place today. “A large number of students staying in hostels have already left and the Vice-Chancellor Najma Akhtar appealed to the students to maintain peace,” Jamia said in a statement.