NEW DELHI: At least 32 people have been killed in the deadliest violence to engulf India’s capital New Delhi in decades as the heavy deployment of security forces brought an uneasy calm on Thursday.
The violence began over a disputed new citizenship law on Monday but led to clashes between Muslims and Hindus in which hundreds were injured.
Many suffered gunshot wounds, while arson, looting and stone-throwing have also taken place, Reuters reported.
“The death count is now at 32,” Delhi police spokesman Anil Mittal said, adding the “entire area is peaceful now.”
At the heart of the unrest is a citizenship law that makes it easier for non-Muslims from some neighboring Muslim-dominated countries to gain Indian citizenship.
Critics say the law is biased against Muslims and undermines India’s secular constitution.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party has denied having any bias against India’s 180 million Muslims, saying that law is required to help persecuted minorities.
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