India’s northern Haryana state tense after 5 killed in communal clashes between Hindus and Muslims

By PIYUSH NAGPAL
Associated Press

NUH, India (AP) — Indian authorities have imposed a curfew, suspended internet service and deployed thousands of paramilitary forces to parts of northern Haryana state after deadly communal clashes. The violence began Monday afternoon when Hindus and Muslims clashed with each other in Haryana’s Nuh district during a religious procession by a Hindu nationalist group. Two police officers and two other people were killed, and more than 20 police officers were injured. Tensions later spilled over to a city outside New Delhi called Gurugram, where mobs torched a mosque and killed a Muslim cleric. Communal violence in India is not new, but observers say religious polarization has risen under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, further heightening tensions.