Hindu-Muslim clashes in India claim 5 lives
New Delhi, Aug 1 (EFE).- At least five people, including two police guards, were killed in clashes between Hindus and Muslims as religious violence spilled over into a satellite town near the Indian capital, police said on Tuesday.
The authorities have snapped internet services and imposed curfews in parts of the northern Haryana state that shares a border with New Delhi.
The clashes erupted when a mob carrying a Hindu religious procession passed through a Muslim-majority area in the Nuh district of Haryana on Monday.
The tension quickly spread to Gurugram, previously known as Gurgaon, the sprawling city home to multiple skyscrapers and houses hundreds of multinational offices.
Police officer Nitish Agarwal told reporters that one person was killed when another mob, some carrying firearms, torched a mosque in Gurugram.
Press Trust of India news agency said four people died while dozens suffered injuries in the Nuh district in the clashes between Hindus and Muslims.
Authorities have arrested several suspects who are being questioned.
The tensions between the two groups forced the authorities to impose a curfew and suspend internet services in Nuh and Gurugram, besides deploying police on the streets and blocking some roads to prevent further disturbances.
The authorities in the satellite town ordered the closure of all educational institutions for the day.
The Haryana authorities held a meeting on Tuesday morning with the leaders of the warring groups to appeal for calm.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khatar said the violence was “well-planned” and part of a “larger conspiracy” to disrupt peace.
“Security forces sent by the central and state governments are currently stationed there and the situation has been brought under control,” Khattar said in a post on social media site X, formerly Twitter.
“Seventy people have been detained so far.”
India has previously witnessed bloody Hindu-Muslim clashes that have left thousands dead and injured.
The rise to power of the Hindu nationalist leader Narendra Modi coincided with the radicalization of the Hindu majority.
According to various human rights organizations, attacks against the Muslim minority also have increased since Modi came to power in 2014
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