Protests erupt across India over citizenship law

Police have clashed with protesters in several Indian cities as demonstrations against new law on illegal migrants entered a fifth day. There are large protests in the capital Delhi as well as in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), says a BBC report.

On Sunday, police used tear gas and detained protesters, as buses were torched and roads blocked. The new law entitles citizenship to some non-Muslim migrants from three Muslim-majority countries.

But people are divided on why they have taken to the streets. Some critics say the law is anti-Muslim, while others - especially in border regions - fear large-scale migration. The protests - which have left six people dead - began in Assam on Thursday, before spreading to other parts of northern and eastern India.

Authorities have tried to curb the protests by shutting down internet services. However, students at universities across the country resumed demonstrations on Monday. In Kolkata, tens of thousands of people have joined a demonstration led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her ruling Trinamool Congress party.

Further demonstrations are expected in a number of other cities.