Death toll from India caste riots rises to 19
AFP
February 22, 2016 14:46 MYT
February 22, 2016 14:46 MYT
Indian protestors stand near a burning truck during violence after rival caste groups clashed during a mass rally over access to jobs and education in Rohtak on February 19, 2016. - AFP photo / STR
The death toll from caste riots in northern India has risen to 19, a state government official told AFP on Monday, adding that the protests had eased overnight.
Authorities said some districts had now lifted a curfew imposed after the outbreak Friday of deadly riots in Haryana state by members of the Jat rural caste.
"Nineteen people have died and more than 200 are injured," said Haryana additional chief secretary P. K. Das.
"There were a few clashes in parts of Bhiwani district overnight, where a curfew is still on, but the curfew has been lifted in other districts."
Das also said a canal supplying water to Delhi had been cleared after it was blocked by protestors, triggering shortages in the capital that have forced schools to close.
The state government on Sunday agreed to the Jat community's demand that they be given quotas for highly sought-after government jobs and for university places.
PHOTO GALLERY: India riot: Death toll rises to 10, no Malaysian casualties
Members of the Jat caste say they are struggling to find work despite India's strong economic growth.
India sets aside a proportion of jobs and university places for Dalits, known as "untouchables", and for other so-called "backward castes", under measures intended to remedy centuries of discrimination.
"Most of the road links have been restored in the state and we hope to be in control of the situation by the end of the day," said Das.