US reacts to Haryana clashes, urges parties to refrain from violence

THE US state department has reacted to the recent clashes in Gurugram in the northern Indian state of Haryana appealing for calm and urging parties to refrain from violence.

Addressing the department briefing on Wednesday (2), offiicial spokesperson Matthew Miller said, "I would say of – with respect to the clashes that obviously we would, as always, urge calm and urge parties to refrain from violent actions."

"With respect to whether we've heard from any Americans, I'm not aware of that. I'm happy to follow up with the – with the embassy," he said when asked about whether any American citizen was affected by the clashes in Gurugram, one of India's busy technology and business centres.

The clashes between two groups in Nuh area in Haryana on Monday (31) afternoon after a religious procession passing through the district came under attack, resulting in at least five deaths and injuries to many, including around 20 policemen who were targeted during the violence.

More than 200 people have been arrested so far while 80 have been taken into preventive detention in connection with the clashes, state home minister Anil Vij said on Friday, news agency PTI reported.

The state government announced on Wednesday that mobile internet service will remain suspended in Haryana's Nuh, Faridabad and Palwal districts and three sub-divisions of Gurugram till Saturday (5) as conditions remained tense there.

Official sources said the decision was taken in view of the spreading misinformation and rumours through various social media platforms.

Haryana is ruled by prime minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

The US also reacted after a video showing two women paraded naked and sexually assaulted in the north-eastern state of Manipur went viral on social media recently, saying it was shocking and horrifying.