Army Deployed to Stop Violence in India

The army has been deployed in the Indian state of Gujarat in response to protests and riots that have seen both police and protesters killed.

The New York Times reports that seven civilians and one police officer have been killed in clashes that have their origins in the demands of the Patidar caste to be awarded government jobs and spaces in universities like the country's lower castes. The violence erupted when a youth leader of the protests named Hardik Patel was arrested by the authorities. It is said that 300,000 people participated in the protests.

The Patidars make up 14 percent of the population of Gujarat state and are relatively wealthy. They make up a large base of support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who previously previously governed the state before rising to Prime Minister. Modi has since called for peace and urged everyone to try and work out their differences diplomatically.

Reuters reports that on Thursday all businesses and schools were closed a curfew put in place as a result of the two preceding days of violence.

The last time Gujarat state saw violence related to religious or caste issues, in 2002, more than 1,000 people were killed. Modi led the state at the time, and has sometimes been criticized for not doing enough to stop the violence at the time.