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Ten dead in fresh violence in India after protesters clash over Citizenship Amendment Act

INDIA’s capital New Delhi saw a fresh wave of violence today leaving at least 10 people dead during US President Donald Trump’s official visit.

The violence began on Sunday when Kapil Mishra of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) party, held a rally in favour of the Citizenship Amendment Act.

India’s parliament approved a new citizenship law in December that fast-tracks naturalisation for some foreign-born religious minorities, but not Muslims.

Today, a group of Hindus carrying pickaxes and iron rods clashed with Muslims in New Delhi, while others set fire to grocery shops and a Muslim shrine.

Both groups were forced to retreat to the two sides of a highway after police fired tear gas to disperse them.

Protesters in several other areas of north-east New Delhi ignored orders prohibiting the assembly of more than five people and threw stones and set some shops and vehicles on fire. Some homes were also attacked with rocks.

Yesterday also saw similar scenes, while an anti-Trump protest was separately held against the US leader’s two-day visit.

At least 150 other people have been injured in the fresh clashes, including journalists shot at or beaten by protesters.

Of the 10 killed people who died this week, one was a policeman.

Local police and reserves deployed are being assisted by additional security units.

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi urged the people of Delhi to exercise restraint “no matter what the provocation.”

Mr Trump, who once imposed his own Muslim ban in the United States, declined to comment on the new law during his visit with his “dear friend,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said: “I don’t want to discuss that. I want to leave that to India and hopefully they’re going to make the right decision for the people.”

Describing the Kashmir issue as a “big problem” between India and Pakistan, he said it was “a thorn in a lot of people’s sides” and reiterated his offer to mediate between the two countries to ease the tension.

Mr Trump also announced that the two-state leaders discussed a more than $3 billion (£2.3bn) military deal for “finest in the world” equipment, including Apache and MH-60 Romeo helicopters.

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