PATNA, India: Indian police shot dead two protesters and arrested more than 130 others during street rallies sparked by a ruling party official's remarks about the Prophet Muhammad, authorities told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Saturday. In India and neighboring countries, Muslims took to the streets in huge numbers after Friday prayers to condemn the remarks, with police firing on a crowd in the eastern Indian city of Ranchi. "Police were forced to open fire to disperse protesters...resulting in the death of two," a police officer in Ranchi told AFP. Police in Uttar Pradesh fired tear gas to disperse at least one rally after several demonstrations were staged across the northern Indian state. Sharma's remarks have embroiled India in a diplomatic storm, with the governments of nearly 20 countries calling in Indian envoys for an explanation.

Source: Manila Times June 11, 2022 22:35 UTC