Death toll in New Delhi riots reaches 20

As many as 20 were killed and 150 injured during the riots and clashes in New Delhi, which erupted on February 17.

According to NDTV, India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, visited the police headquarters in Northeast Delhi, where most clashes take place, to hold an emergency meeting. City police have reportedly rejected a proposal to send troops into the city, saying they can cope with the situation alone. But the information in some media suggests that deployment of the military into the city is not ruled out if law enforcement officers fail to fix the situation.

Clashes broke out in the Indian capital on February 24 between groups of radically-minded youth who support and oppose the controversial citizenship law.

In line with the amendments to the Citizenship Act passed by the Indian Parliament, non-Muslim refugees from neighboring countries - Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh - will be able to obtain Indian citizenship under a simplified procedure if they face harassment and aggression in their homeland. The law sparked protests among Indian Muslims.