Violence breaks out in India's capital over new citizenship law

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

appealed for peace in Delhi on Wednesday after days of Hindu-Muslim clashes over a disputed new citizenship law sparked some of the worst sectarian violence seen in the capital in decades.

At least 24 people were killed and hundreds more wounded in the riots , according to hospital officials, with many suffering gunshot wounds, amid incidents of stone-pelting, arson, and looting.

Police and paramilitary forces patrolled the streets in far greater numbers on Wednesday, and swathes of the riot-hit areas were deserted.

Modi’s appeal came after criticism from opposition parties over the government’s failure to control the violence , despite the use of tear gas, pellets, and smoke grenades.

Sonia Gandhi

, President of the opposition Congress party , called for the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah , who is directly responsible for law and order in the capital.

The violence erupted between thousands demonstrating for and against the new legislation passed by Modi’s Hindu nationalist government .

The Citizenship Amendment Act ( CAA ) makes it easier for non-Muslims from some neighboring Muslim-dominated countries to gain Indian citizenship .

Critics say the law is biased against Muslims and undermines India’s secular constitution . Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party has denied having any bias against India’s 180 million-plus Muslims.

In northeast Delhi’s Brijpuri district , where Hindus and Muslims live in densely-packed houses separated by narrow lanes, parts of a mosque lay charred and an adjoining anti-government protest site lay in rubble and burnt.

A first-aid post near the mosque stood smashed to bits, and the inside of the mosque was scorched, with melted fans hanging from the ceiling and molten prayer mats fused to the floor.

Both sides appeared involved in the violence, however, and there were both Hindu and Muslim victims being treated for injuries in a local hospital.

At Arun Modern Public School , a few houses down from the mosque, entire classrooms were burnt and on the street outside, desks pulled out from classrooms lay strewn on the road.

sg