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In India, More Police, Less Internet Ahead of Planned Protests

Reuters

   MEERUT, INDIA - Indian authorities stepped up security in major cities
   on Friday and suspended mobile data services in some places in an
   effort to maintain order ahead of protests planned against a new
   citizenship law.

   At least 25 people have been killed in protests across the country
   since the law, seen as discriminatory toward Muslims, was adopted Dec.
   11.

   The backlash against the law, pushed through parliament by the
   Hindu-nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is the
   biggest challenge he has faced since he was first elected in 2014.

   Violence peaked last Friday when police clashed with protesters in
   several cities after weekly Muslim congregational prayers, especially
   in India's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh.

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