Police appeal for peace post violent clashes over India’s citizenship act

Reuters: Police across India marched on the streets in full riot gear on Friday (December 20), making announcements to maintain peace and follow law and order, a day after violent clashes with protesters during protests over a new citizenship law based on religion. Three people died of injuries sustained during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act in India on Thursday (December 19) with thousands taking to the streets nationwide in defiance of temporary bans on public gatherings. Police were seen in full preparation ahead of Friday prayers for Muslims. They made announcements with Muslim religious leaders in tense areas to keep calm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dug his heels in over the law that lays out a path for people from minority religions in neighboring Muslim countries - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan - who had settled in India before 2015 to obtain Indian citizenship. In August, the government took away Muslim majority Kashmir's autonomy and later the Supreme Court cleared the way for the construction of a Hindu temple on a site disputed by Muslims, and had been a flashpoint for years.