Washington is to lift pandemic restrictions&nbsp;on&nbsp;most&nbsp;businesses&nbsp;and public venues in less than two weeks, with the daily toll of new&nbsp;Covid cases in the US&nbsp;capital&nbsp;at its lowest level in almost a year.

As the vaccination drive gathers pace, the city's famed Smithsonian museums and zoo, as well as shops, restaurants, places of worship and numerous other venues, will see capacity&nbsp;curbs&nbsp;removed entirely by&nbsp;May&nbsp;21.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="US is likely 'undercounting' Covid deaths, says Dr Fauci">US is likely 'undercounting' Covid deaths, says Dr Fauci</a>

Bars, nightclubs and large entertainment venues and sports stadiums will have to wait until June 11 to fully reopen, Mayor Muriel Bowser's office said in a public health update.

Masks will still be required indoors for people not eating or drinking.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="US turning a corner on pandemic, says White House coordinator">US turning a corner on pandemic, says White House coordinator</a>

'On&nbsp;Friday,&nbsp;May&nbsp;21&nbsp;we will be turning&nbsp;on&nbsp;substantially more activity in the district,'&nbsp;Bowser told reporters.

"And we anticipate three weeks following that,&nbsp;on&nbsp;June 11 that we will be able to turn up activity in the district, all the way."&nbsp;

The city has seen new daily infections&nbsp;drop&nbsp;into single figures per 100,000 people since an alarming January peak of more than 40, with the infection rate now at its lowest in 10 months.&nbsp;

Infections are similarly down in neighboring Virginia and Maryland.

The District of Columbia has fully vaccinated 226,566 of its population of around 700,000.

The&nbsp;capital&nbsp;began easing pandemic&nbsp;curbs&nbsp;on&nbsp;May&nbsp;1, allowing shops to increase from 25 per cent to 50 per cent capacity and restaurants to seat 10 people per table.

According to a survey conducted in March by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 25 per cent of Americans aged 18 to 29 are adopting a 'wait and see'&nbsp;attitude towards being vaccinated.

President Joe Biden wants 70 per cent of adults nationwide to have received at least one shot by Independence Day&nbsp;on&nbsp;July 4, and Washington has joined several other cities in offering incentives in a bid to overcome vaccine hesitancy.

Bowser has urged residents to 'come get vaccinated and grab a beer,&nbsp;on&nbsp;us'&nbsp;at the John F&nbsp;Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

"Throughout this process, I have said how proud I am of DC residents and&nbsp;businesses&nbsp;who have responded, who have followed health guidance and have worked together to help protect our community throughout the pandemic, and we see it in these numbers today," the mayor said on Monday.&nbsp;

Washington is to lift pandemic restrictions on most businesses and public venues in less than two weeks, with the daily toll of new Covid cases in the US capital at its lowest level in almost a year.

Washington is to lift pandemic restrictions on most businesses and public venues in less than two weeks, with the daily toll of new Covid cases in the US capital at its lowest level in almost a year. As the vaccination drive gathers pace, the city's famed Smithsonian museums and zoo, as well as shops, restaurants, places of worship and numerous other venues, will see capacity curbs removed entirely by May 21. Also read | US is likely 'undercounting' Covid deaths, says Dr Fauci Bars, nightclubs and large entertainment venues and sports stadiums will have to wait until June 11 to fully reopen, Mayor Muriel Bowser's office said in a public health update. Masks will still be required indoors for people not eating or drinking. Also read | US turning a corner on pandemic, says White House coordinator 'On Friday, May 21 we will be turning on substantially more activity in the district,' Bowser told reporters. "And we anticipate three weeks following that, on June 11 that we will be able to turn up activity in the district, all the way." The city has seen new daily infections drop into single figures per 100,000 people since an alarming January peak of more than 40, with the infection rate now at its lowest in 10 months. Infections are similarly down in neighboring Virginia and Maryland. The District of Columbia has fully vaccinated 226,566 of its population of around 700,000. The capital began easing pandemic curbs on May 1, allowing shops to increase from 25 per cent to 50 per cent capacity and restaurants to seat 10 people per table. According to a survey conducted in March by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 25 per cent of Americans aged 18 to 29 are adopting a 'wait and see' attitude towards being vaccinated. President Joe Biden wants 70 per cent of adults nationwide to have received at least one shot by Independence Day on July 4, and Washington has joined several other cities in offering incentives in a bid to overcome vaccine hesitancy. Bowser has urged residents to 'come get vaccinated and grab a beer, on us' at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. "Throughout this process, I have said how proud I am of DC residents and businesses who have responded, who have followed health guidance and have worked together to help protect our community throughout the pandemic, and we see it in these numbers today," the mayor said on Monday.

US capital to drop Covid curbs for most businesses on May 21

Maldives&nbsp;began a&nbsp;night-time&nbsp;curfew&nbsp;from Thursday to control a doubling of daily coronavirus&nbsp;infections&nbsp;that was fuelled by crowds at a local election and family gatherings during the ongoing Muslim fasting month of Ramzan.

The Health Protection Agency announced the&nbsp;curfew&nbsp;on Wednesday&nbsp;after&nbsp;government data showed daily cases grew to 734 from 318 a week ago. Most of the cases reported on Wednesday were in the crowded capital Male.

Restrictions have been placed on movement between islands, although there are no curbs on tourists headed to private island resorts if they can produce a negative&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;test. The health agency also ordered mandatory physical distancing in mosques.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="Former President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed injured in a suspected bomb attack">Former President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed injured in a suspected bomb attack</a>

"The numbers are very high. If we are not able to significantly lower these numbers, we are going to face very difficult days. So we have to get ready," said Mabrook Azeez, the spokesman for the President's Office.

There were large gatherings during the council elections held on April 10, and mass groupings have only increased during Ramzan, with communal prayers being held without any physical distancing in the capital Male.

Australian cricketers and staff involved in the Indian Premier League are headed to the&nbsp;Maldives&nbsp;after&nbsp;the tournament's abrupt suspension over the coronavirus crisis in India. They will quarantine there before heading home.

Vaccination queues in the&nbsp;Maldives&nbsp;have also lengthened during Ramadan due to shortened hours, with thousands lining up without any physical distancing to get their shots.

Azeez said the government is looking for foreign medical workers and local volunteers to staff the main public hospital in Male.

Maldives began a night-time curfew from Thursday to control a doubling of daily coronavirus infections that was fuelled by crowds at a local election and family gatherings during the ongoing Muslim fasting month of Ramzan.

Maldives began a night-time curfew from Thursday to control a doubling of daily coronavirus infections that was fuelled by crowds at a local election and family gatherings during the ongoing Muslim fasting month of Ramzan. The Health Protection Agency announced the curfew on Wednesday after government data showed daily cases grew to 734 from 318 a week ago. Most of the cases reported on Wednesday were in the crowded capital Male. Restrictions have been placed on movement between islands, although there are no curbs on tourists headed to private island resorts if they can produce a negative COVID-19 test. The health agency also ordered mandatory physical distancing in mosques. Also read: Former President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed injured in a suspected bomb attack "The numbers are very high. If we are not able to significantly lower these numbers, we are going to face very difficult days. So we have to get ready," said Mabrook Azeez, the spokesman for the President's Office. There were large gatherings during the council elections held on April 10, and mass groupings have only increased during Ramzan, with communal prayers being held without any physical distancing in the capital Male. Australian cricketers and staff involved in the Indian Premier League are headed to the Maldives after the tournament's abrupt suspension over the coronavirus crisis in India. They will quarantine there before heading home. Vaccination queues in the Maldives have also lengthened during Ramadan due to shortened hours, with thousands lining up without any physical distancing to get their shots. Azeez said the government is looking for foreign medical workers and local volunteers to staff the main public hospital in Male.

Maldives imposes night curfew after steep jump in COVID-19 infections

Authorities in India's western state of Maharashtra imposed night curfews on Sunday to tackle a record surge in COVID-19 cases with the financial capital Mumbai reporting 6,123 new cases, the highest single-day spike since March last year.

"We are seeing a higher COVID positive rate in high-rise residential buildings than in slums...to stop the spread only essential services will be allowed (at night)," said Mumbai Mayor Kishor Pednekar, adding that hotels, pubs and shopping malls must observe the night curfew rules.

Residential areas with five or more reported COVID-19 cases in the city have been ordered to be sealed off.

India recorded 62,714 cases of the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, the country’s Health Ministry said on Sunday, the highest single-day tally since mid-October last year. With 312 deaths, single-day fatalities were also at their highest since Christmas, according to ministry data.

Several government hospitals reported they were running out of critical-care beds in Mumbai city.

While Maharashtra leads the surge, several other states - Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh - are also seeing a rise in cases.

In parts of the country, especially Delhi and Mumbai, authorities have imposed bans or restrictions on the Hindu festival of Holi and the Muslim "day of forgiveness", Shab-e-Baraat, which are both observed over this weekend.

Holi is usually celebrated with large gatherings in which people smear each other with colour, while Muslim men typically hold large prayer gatherings at mosques on Shab-e-Barat.

ELECTION SEASON

The surge in COVID-19 cases in India comes amid a vital election season, as the eastern state of West Bengal and Assam started voting for state assemblies on Saturday.

The elections will indicate how support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding up after a year of the pandemic and months of mass protests over farm laws his government enacted late last year.

The export of COVID-19 vaccines is facing sharp criticism from many Indians. India is a major producer of vaccines and has supplied 61 million doses to as many as 77 countries as part of both grants and commercial arrangements.

The government said last week it has decided to focus on its domestic vaccination programme and there will be no immediate expansion of vaccine exports.

More than 40 million people have received at least one dose so far, less than 4% of the 1.35 billion population, according to official figures.

"The vaccination drive has to be scaled up massively, and test and trace and isolation protocols have to be strengthened across the country," said S.K. Sinha, a Health Ministry official.

Authorities in India's western state of Maharashtra imposed night curfews on Sunday to tackle a record surge in COVID-19 cases with the financial capital Mumbai reporting 6,123 new cases, the highest single-day spike since March last year.

Authorities in India's western state of Maharashtra imposed night curfews on Sunday to tackle a record surge in COVID-19 cases with the financial capital Mumbai reporting 6,123 new cases, the highest single-day spike since March last year. "We are seeing a higher COVID positive rate in high-rise residential buildings than in slums...to stop the spread only essential services will be allowed (at night)," said Mumbai Mayor Kishor Pednekar, adding that hotels, pubs and shopping malls must observe the night curfew rules. Residential areas with five or more reported COVID-19 cases in the city have been ordered to be sealed off. India recorded 62,714 cases of the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, the country’s Health Ministry said on Sunday, the highest single-day tally since mid-October last year. With 312 deaths, single-day fatalities were also at their highest since Christmas, according to ministry data. Several government hospitals reported they were running out of critical-care beds in Mumbai city. While Maharashtra leads the surge, several other states - Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh - are also seeing a rise in cases. In parts of the country, especially Delhi and Mumbai, authorities have imposed bans or restrictions on the Hindu festival of Holi and the Muslim "day of forgiveness", Shab-e-Baraat, which are both observed over this weekend. Holi is usually celebrated with large gatherings in which people smear each other with colour, while Muslim men typically hold large prayer gatherings at mosques on Shab-e-Barat. ELECTION SEASON The surge in COVID-19 cases in India comes amid a vital election season, as the eastern state of West Bengal and Assam started voting for state assemblies on Saturday. The elections will indicate how support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding up after a year of the pandemic and months of mass protests over farm laws his government enacted late last year. The export of COVID-19 vaccines is facing sharp criticism from many Indians. India is a major producer of vaccines and has supplied 61 million doses to as many as 77 countries as part of both grants and commercial arrangements. The government said last week it has decided to focus on its domestic vaccination programme and there will be no immediate expansion of vaccine exports. More than 40 million people have received at least one dose so far, less than 4% of the 1.35 billion population, according to official figures. "The vaccination drive has to be scaled up massively, and test and trace and isolation protocols have to be strengthened across the country," said S.K. Sinha, a Health Ministry official.

Maharashtra imposes night curfew after record COVID spike

Demonstrators in Myanmar’s biggest city came out Monday night for their first mass protests in defiance of an 8 pm curfew, seeking to show support for an estimated 200 students trapped by security forces in a small area of one neighbourhood.

Myanmar's anti-coup protesters break curfew after Police trap 200

Dutch police detained more than 150 people in a third night of unrest in cities across the Netherlands, where roaming groups of rioters set fires, threw rocks and looted stores in violence triggered by a night curfew aimed at curbing the coronavirus. 
 
The nation`s first curfew since World War Two followed a warning by the National Institute for Health (RIVM) over a new wave of infections due to the "British variant" of the virus, and was imposed despite weeks of declines in new infections. 
 
Ten police were injured in the port city of Rotterdam, where 60 rioters were detained overnight, Dutch news agency ANP said on Tuesday. 
 
Two photographers were hurt after being targeted by rock-throwing gangs, one in the capital, Amsterdam, and another in the nearby town of Haarlem, broadcaster NH Nieuws said. 
 
In the capital`s east, at least nine people were held after clashes with riot police. Store windows were smashed and an angry group attacked a police van, witnesses said. 
 
Schools and non-essential shops have been shut since mid-December, after bars and restaurants were closed two months prior. 
 
The death toll in the Netherlands stands at 13,579, with 952,950 infections to date.

Dutch police detained more than 150 people in a third night of unrest in cities across the Netherlands, where roaming groups of rioters set fires, threw rocks and looted stores in violence triggered by a night curfew aimed at curbing the coronavirus.

Dutch police detained more than 150 people in a third night of unrest in cities across the Netherlands, where roaming groups of rioters set fires, threw rocks and looted stores in violence triggered by a night curfew aimed at curbing the coronavirus. The nation`s first curfew since World War Two followed a warning by the National Institute for Health (RIVM) over a new wave of infections due to the "British variant" of the virus, and was imposed despite weeks of declines in new infections. Ten police were injured in the port city of Rotterdam, where 60 rioters were detained overnight, Dutch news agency ANP said on Tuesday. Two photographers were hurt after being targeted by rock-throwing gangs, one in the capital, Amsterdam, and another in the nearby town of Haarlem, broadcaster NH Nieuws said. In the capital`s east, at least nine people were held after clashes with riot police. Store windows were smashed and an angry group attacked a police van, witnesses said. Schools and non-essential shops have been shut since mid-December, after bars and restaurants were closed two months prior. The death toll in the Netherlands stands at 13,579, with 952,950 infections to date.

Dutch police detain more than 150 in third night of curfew violence

Dutch police arrested 25 people and handed out 3,600 fines for violations of a nighttime curfew which went into effect on Saturday in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

A protest against lockdown measures is planned for Sunday afternoon on Amsterdam's Museum Square, and Mayor Femke Halsema designated the area as a "high-risk zone" to give police the power to frisk people for weapons.

The Netherlands was the last country in the Europe Union to begin vaccinations and so far has vaccinated a total of 77,000 doctors and nurses.

Parliament voted narrowly last week to approve the curfew, swayed by assertions that an English variant is about to cause a new surge in cases. New infections in the country have generally been declining for a month.

Last Sunday, protesters clashed with riot police on horseback on the square, leading to the detention of 143 people.

Police said those who were arrested on Saturday night were people who refused to go home or who committed acts of violence.

Exceptions to the curfew, which runs through February 9, include medical emergencies, people performing essential jobs and people walking their dogs. Violators can be fined 95 euros ($115).

Dutch police arrested 25 people and handed out 3,600 fines for violations of a nighttime curfew which went into effect on Saturday in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Dutch police arrested 25 people and handed out 3,600 fines for violations of a nighttime curfew which went into effect on Saturday in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus. A protest against lockdown measures is planned for Sunday afternoon on Amsterdam's Museum Square, and Mayor Femke Halsema designated the area as a "high-risk zone" to give police the power to frisk people for weapons. The Netherlands was the last country in the Europe Union to begin vaccinations and so far has vaccinated a total of 77,000 doctors and nurses. Parliament voted narrowly last week to approve the curfew, swayed by assertions that an English variant is about to cause a new surge in cases. New infections in the country have generally been declining for a month. Last Sunday, protesters clashed with riot police on horseback on the square, leading to the detention of 143 people. Police said those who were arrested on Saturday night were people who refused to go home or who committed acts of violence. Exceptions to the curfew, which runs through February 9, include medical emergencies, people performing essential jobs and people walking their dogs. Violators can be fined 95 euros ($115).

Dutch police make several arrests for curfew violations

Spain was bracing for a new national state of emergency to allow the imposition of curfews as its regions on Saturday pushed for action to slow surging virus cases.&nbsp;

In the face of growing calls for a legal framework to allow regional chiefs to impose tougher restrictions, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's cabinet was to hold a special meeting on Sunday to decide on the matter.&nbsp;

The calls came just days after Spain registered more than one million virus cases, becoming the sixth country in the world to pass the grim milestone -- and the first in the European Union.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-mouthwash-will-not-save-you-from-the-coronavirus-337700">Also read|&nbsp;No, mouthwash will not save you from the coronavirus</a>

So far, nine of Spain's 17 autonomous regions have formally requested that the government declare a national state of emergency which would enable them to impose a curfew -- a measure increasingly applied across Europe.

Spain used such powers in the spring to enforce one of the world's tightest lockdowns, and a similar measure has been in force in Madrid for the past fortnight -- although only to impose movement restrictions on the capital and various nearby towns.

That measure ended just before 1500 GMT when new regional restrictions came into force, including a ban on all gatherings, in public and private, of people who don't live in the same household between midnight and 6:00 am.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/polands-president-andrzej-duda-tests-positive-for-covid-19-337644">Also read|&nbsp;Poland's President, Andrzej Duda, tests positive for COVID-19</a>

"They probably should have done this a long time ago or taken other steps like restricting the number of people taking public transport or going to work," 22-year-old student Patricia Vazquez told AFPTV.&nbsp;

"In Spain, the restrictions are different in each region. In Madrid, if you look at how the infections are evolving, it seems like they're not taking the necessary steps," agreed Eduardo Debiasi, 48, who works in marketing and said more should be done.&nbsp;

A growing consensus

Elsewhere, Castilla and Leon announced its own curfew without waiting for a government declaration, banning movement between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am, while Valencia is to bring in a similar ban in on Sunday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-thrives-in-karabakhs-bomb-shelters-337692">Also read|&nbsp;Coronavirus thrives in Karabakh's bomb shelters</a>

Catalonia also said it would implement a curfew as soon as a national emergency was declared and admitted the option of a new stay-at-home order was also under consideration.

Although the government can impose an emergency for up to a fortnight, it would need parliamentary approval to extend it -- not a given for a the leftwing coalition.

So far, none of the regions run by the rightwing opposition Popular Party (PP) have requested a national emergency, mirroring the party's ongoing bitter standoff with the Sanchez government over its handling of the pandemic.&nbsp;

But for now, the government seems to have secured enough support to push through any future extension without relying on the PP, with backing from the centre-right Ciudadanos and Basque and Catalan separatist parties -- together accounting for 37 seats.

The latest figures show the virus has claimed nearly 35,000 lives in Spain and infected 1,046,132 people, although antibody tests suggest a figure of more than three million.&nbsp;

Spain was bracing for a new national state of emergency to allow the imposition of curfews as its regions on Saturday pushed for action to slow surging virus cases.

Spain was bracing for a new national state of emergency to allow the imposition of curfews as its regions on Saturday pushed for action to slow surging virus cases. In the face of growing calls for a legal framework to allow regional chiefs to impose tougher restrictions, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's cabinet was to hold a special meeting on Sunday to decide on the matter. The calls came just days after Spain registered more than one million virus cases, becoming the sixth country in the world to pass the grim milestone -- and the first in the European Union. Also read| No, mouthwash will not save you from the coronavirus So far, nine of Spain's 17 autonomous regions have formally requested that the government declare a national state of emergency which would enable them to impose a curfew -- a measure increasingly applied across Europe. Spain used such powers in the spring to enforce one of the world's tightest lockdowns, and a similar measure has been in force in Madrid for the past fortnight -- although only to impose movement restrictions on the capital and various nearby towns. That measure ended just before 1500 GMT when new regional restrictions came into force, including a ban on all gatherings, in public and private, of people who don't live in the same household between midnight and 6:00 am. Also read| Poland's President, Andrzej Duda, tests positive for COVID-19 "They probably should have done this a long time ago or taken other steps like restricting the number of people taking public transport or going to work," 22-year-old student Patricia Vazquez told AFPTV. "In Spain, the restrictions are different in each region. In Madrid, if you look at how the infections are evolving, it seems like they're not taking the necessary steps," agreed Eduardo Debiasi, 48, who works in marketing and said more should be done. A growing consensus Elsewhere, Castilla and Leon announced its own curfew without waiting for a government declaration, banning movement between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am, while Valencia is to bring in a similar ban in on Sunday. Also read| Coronavirus thrives in Karabakh's bomb shelters Catalonia also said it would implement a curfew as soon as a national emergency was declared and admitted the option of a new stay-at-home order was also under consideration. Although the government can impose an emergency for up to a fortnight, it would need parliamentary approval to extend it -- not a given for a the leftwing coalition. So far, none of the regions run by the rightwing opposition Popular Party (PP) have requested a national emergency, mirroring the party's ongoing bitter standoff with the Sanchez government over its handling of the pandemic. But for now, the government seems to have secured enough support to push through any future extension without relying on the PP, with backing from the centre-right Ciudadanos and Basque and Catalan separatist parties -- together accounting for 37 seats. The latest figures show the virus has claimed nearly 35,000 lives in Spain and infected 1,046,132 people, although antibody tests suggest a figure of more than three million.

Spain braces for national emergency to allow curfews

Sri Lanka on Sunday imposed an indefinite curfew on two western provincial towns to contain the spread of the coronavirus following the detection of a community case after a gap of nearly six months, officials said.

The island nation has so far recorded 3,395 coronavirus cases and 13 fatalities due to the disease.

An indefinite curfew has been imposed on Divulapitiya and Minwangoda towns in the suburbs of Colombo after a COVID-19 positive patient was detected on Sunday, Army Commander and COVID-19 prevention task force head Shavendra Silva said.

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He said a female from Divulapitiya who works in an apparel factory was found positive for coronavirus after she was admitted to a hospital in Gampaha for fever. Nearly 50 people from her workplace and the hospital have been sent for home quarantine after she was detected positive for COVID-19.

According to officials, this is likely the first COVID-19 community case detected since April. Recent infections have come from foreign returnees.

The Sri Lankan government on June 28 completely lifted the curfew imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus after no new case of community infection was recorded for nearly two months.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/solomon-islands-reports-first-covid-19-case-332384">Also read:&nbsp;Solomon Islands reports first COVID-19 case</a>

However, international flights are yet to be resumed.

The island nation was under a continuous lockdown since March 20. Initially, a nationwide blanket curfew was imposed but it was later eased for about two-thirds of the country and was mostly confined to nighttime. The government had ordered partial opening of offices and businesses mid-May. From early June, the restrictions were further relaxed with public transport being allowed.

The government further relaxed the COVID-19 curfew, which was in force from 11 pm to 4 am, to only four hours from midnight to 4 am daily from June 14 onwards.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka on Sunday imposed an indefinite curfew on two western provincial towns to contain the spread of the coronavirus following the detection of a community case after a gap of nearly six months, officials said.

Sri Lanka on Sunday imposed an indefinite curfew on two western provincial towns to contain the spread of the coronavirus following the detection of a community case after a gap of nearly six months, officials said. The island nation has so far recorded 3,395 coronavirus cases and 13 fatalities due to the disease. An indefinite curfew has been imposed on Divulapitiya and Minwangoda towns in the suburbs of Colombo after a COVID-19 positive patient was detected on Sunday, Army Commander and COVID-19 prevention task force head Shavendra Silva said. Also read: Nepal Prime Minister's advisers test positive for COVID-19 He said a female from Divulapitiya who works in an apparel factory was found positive for coronavirus after she was admitted to a hospital in Gampaha for fever. Nearly 50 people from her workplace and the hospital have been sent for home quarantine after she was detected positive for COVID-19. According to officials, this is likely the first COVID-19 community case detected since April. Recent infections have come from foreign returnees. The Sri Lankan government on June 28 completely lifted the curfew imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus after no new case of community infection was recorded for nearly two months. Also read: Solomon Islands reports first COVID-19 case However, international flights are yet to be resumed. The island nation was under a continuous lockdown since March 20. Initially, a nationwide blanket curfew was imposed but it was later eased for about two-thirds of the country and was mostly confined to nighttime. The government had ordered partial opening of offices and businesses mid-May. From early June, the restrictions were further relaxed with public transport being allowed. The government further relaxed the COVID-19 curfew, which was in force from 11 pm to 4 am, to only four hours from midnight to 4 am daily from June 14 onwards.

Sri Lanka imposes indefinite curfew in 2 towns after detection of new COVID-19 cases

Australia on Sunday introduced sweeping new measures to control a growing coronavirus outbreak in its second-biggest city, including an overnight curfew and a ban on weddings for the first time during the pandemic.

Despite a lockdown that began in early July, Melbourne has continued to report hundreds of new cases daily, and authorities said the city's residents would now face a curfew from 8 pm to 5 am for the next six weeks.

Declaring a "state of disaster" on Sunday, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said the state capital would move to Stage 4 restrictions until September 13 given "unacceptably high" levels of community transmission.

Melbourne residents will be limited to an hour of exercise a day, no further than five kilometres (about three miles) from home starting Sunday night.

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Only one person per household will be able to shop for essential items each day, also within the same strict radius.

Most school and university students in Melbourne will return to online learning from midnight Wednesday, just weeks after returning to their classrooms, while kindergartens and daycare centres will be effectively closed from Thursday.

Weddings will also be banned in the city. At the height of the first wave of the pandemic, weddings in Australia were limited to five people.

"These are the decisions made because anything short of this will not keep us safe," Andrews said.

"Anything short of this will see it drag on for months and months and months."

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Additional restrictions affecting workplaces would be announced Monday, Andrews added, suggesting that non-essential businesses will face closures.

The state recorded 671 new COVID-19 cases and seven deaths from the virus on Sunday.

Outside Melbourne, the rest of Victoria will move to a Stage 3 lockdown from midnight Wednesday with people allowed to leave home only for work, study, care and essential shopping.

Elsewhere in Australia, other states and territories have for weeks reported zero or a small number of cases while relaxing restrictions.

They have, however, banned visitors from Victoria and Sydney -- another virus hotspot.

Australia's total reported infections reached almost 18,000 on Sunday, with 208 deaths in a population of 25 million.

Australia on Sunday introduced sweeping new measures to control a growing coronavirus outbreak in its second-biggest city, including an overnight curfew and a ban on weddings for the first time during the pandemic.

Australia on Sunday introduced sweeping new measures to control a growing coronavirus outbreak in its second-biggest city, including an overnight curfew and a ban on weddings for the first time during the pandemic. Despite a lockdown that began in early July, Melbourne has continued to report hundreds of new cases daily, and authorities said the city's residents would now face a curfew from 8 pm to 5 am for the next six weeks. Declaring a "state of disaster" on Sunday, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said the state capital would move to Stage 4 restrictions until September 13 given "unacceptably high" levels of community transmission. Melbourne residents will be limited to an hour of exercise a day, no further than five kilometres (about three miles) from home starting Sunday night. Also read| Hong Kong student applications to Australia hit three year high ahead of new security law Only one person per household will be able to shop for essential items each day, also within the same strict radius. Most school and university students in Melbourne will return to online learning from midnight Wednesday, just weeks after returning to their classrooms, while kindergartens and daycare centres will be effectively closed from Thursday. Weddings will also be banned in the city. At the height of the first wave of the pandemic, weddings in Australia were limited to five people. "These are the decisions made because anything short of this will not keep us safe," Andrews said. "Anything short of this will see it drag on for months and months and months." Also read| Australia: As diplomacy 'fails', friends of jailed scholar in Iran begin public campaign Additional restrictions affecting workplaces would be announced Monday, Andrews added, suggesting that non-essential businesses will face closures. The state recorded 671 new COVID-19 cases and seven deaths from the virus on Sunday. Outside Melbourne, the rest of Victoria will move to a Stage 3 lockdown from midnight Wednesday with people allowed to leave home only for work, study, care and essential shopping. Elsewhere in Australia, other states and territories have for weeks reported zero or a small number of cases while relaxing restrictions. They have, however, banned visitors from Victoria and Sydney -- another virus hotspot. Australia's total reported infections reached almost 18,000 on Sunday, with 208 deaths in a population of 25 million.

Virus curfew imposed on Australia's second-biggest city

Saudi Arabia will begin to ease the restrictions on movement and travel after imposing a strict lockdown for more than two months to contain the spread of novel coronavirus.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-us-records-532-deaths-in-last-24-hours-toll-now-stands-at-98218-301048" hreflang="en">Coronavirus: US records 532 deaths in last 24 hours, toll now stands at 98,218</a>

According to Saudi Arabia's state news agency, restrictions are scheduled to be lifted in three phases resulting at the end of the curfew in the country except for Mecca on June 21. &nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-brazil-surpasses-the-united-states-in-terms-of-daily-death-toll-301046" hreflang="en">Coronavirus: Brazil surpasses the United States in terms of daily death toll</a>

The Hajj and Umrah will remain suspended as it attracts millions of travellers.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia is one of the worst-hit countries in the gulf with 74,795 cases of COVID-19 with 399 deaths and more than 2,000 cases are still being reported daily.

The first phase will begin on Thursday where the 24-hour curfew will be reduced to between 3 p.m. and 6 a.m. countrywide.

From Sunday onwards, free movement will be allowed between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., Saudi Press Agency reported.

Domestic flights will resume but the ban on international flights will stay.&nbsp;

Except for Mecca, mosques will resume prayers, subject to social distancing and hygiene measures.

All employees in the public and private sector will be allowed to return to their offices.

But the gathering of more than 50 people will still be banned and the citizens will be urged to wear masks in public and continue hygiene and social distancing measures after June 21.

Mecca will remain in the first phase until June 20 thereafter prayer will only be allowed to resume in mosques from June 21. 
&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia will begin to ease the restrictions on movement and travel after imposing a strict lockdown for more than two months to contain the spread of novel coronavirus.

Saudi Arabia will begin to ease the restrictions on movement and travel after imposing a strict lockdown for more than two months to contain the spread of novel coronavirus. Also read: Coronavirus: US records 532 deaths in last 24 hours, toll now stands at 98,218 According to Saudi Arabia's state news agency, restrictions are scheduled to be lifted in three phases resulting at the end of the curfew in the country except for Mecca on June 21. Also read: Coronavirus: Brazil surpasses the United States in terms of daily death toll The Hajj and Umrah will remain suspended as it attracts millions of travellers. Saudi Arabia is one of the worst-hit countries in the gulf with 74,795 cases of COVID-19 with 399 deaths and more than 2,000 cases are still being reported daily. The first phase will begin on Thursday where the 24-hour curfew will be reduced to between 3 p.m. and 6 a.m. countrywide. From Sunday onwards, free movement will be allowed between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., Saudi Press Agency reported. Domestic flights will resume but the ban on international flights will stay. Except for Mecca, mosques will resume prayers, subject to social distancing and hygiene measures. All employees in the public and private sector will be allowed to return to their offices. But the gathering of more than 50 people will still be banned and the citizens will be urged to wear masks in public and continue hygiene and social distancing measures after June 21. Mecca will remain in the first phase until June 20 thereafter prayer will only be allowed to resume in mosques from June 21.

Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia to ease curfew on June 21, except Mecca

People in Chandigarh are now allowed to purchase essential items. People will be allowed to go to market on foot. Curfew has been relaxed in certain areas of Himachal Pradesh as well.

India: Curfew relaxed in Chandigarh | WION News

Coronavirus cases continue to surge in India with more than 460 cases and 7 deaths. Now India headed for a complete lockdown. Watch this breaking news

Breaking News:After Lockdown Curfew in Delhi Ncr | Coronavirus India

The curfew in Mangaluru, imposed after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/anti-caa-protests-in-up-879-arrested-15-dead-5000-in-preventive-custody-269553">violent protest</a> against the newly-enacted citizenship law, was on Sunday relaxed till 6 pm by the district administration. 
 
According to officials, while the curfew has been relaxed, Section 144 to prohibit the assembly of more than four people in an area will remain in force. 
 
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had on Saturday said Section 144 will be implemented in Mangaluru from December 23. 
 
Two people were killed in the protests while many others were injured after protests against the new citizenship law in Mangaluru turned violent on December 19. The chief minister today announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to families of the two. 
 
This comes amid protests at various places against the newly-enacted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/caa-protests-bullet-pierces-through-cops-vest-gets-stuck-in-wallet-269531">Citizenship (Amendment) Act</a>, 2019, which seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

The curfew in Mangaluru, imposed after violent protest against the newly-enacted citizenship law, was on Sunday relaxed till 6 pm by the district administration.

The curfew in Mangaluru, imposed after violent protest against the newly-enacted citizenship law, was on Sunday relaxed till 6 pm by the district administration. According to officials, while the curfew has been relaxed, Section 144 to prohibit the assembly of more than four people in an area will remain in force. Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had on Saturday said Section 144 will be implemented in Mangaluru from December 23. Two people were killed in the protests while many others were injured after protests against the new citizenship law in Mangaluru turned violent on December 19. The chief minister today announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to families of the two. This comes amid protests at various places against the newly-enacted Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, which seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

Curfew relaxed in Mangaluru, Karnataka till 6 pm today

Thousands of Iraqis gathered in Baghdad's Tahrir Square on Wednesday, defying the curfew, in a series of anti-government protests.

Young men clad in Iraqi flags flooded the streets. The protests have been largely successful owing to the mobilisation of people via cars, taxis, motorcycles and even tuk-tuks.&nbsp;

According to Reuters, one protester named Haider demanded to have a "presidential regime" in the country, saying, "when a new president comes to power, he only rules us for four years, and then we can fire him."

Iraq has witnessed more than hundreds of deaths and continuous protests over the last month against the government. On Monday itself, Iraqi security forces opened fire on protesters and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-security-forces-open-fire-on-protesters-kill-14-258650">killed at least 18 people</a> in the Shi'ite holy city of Kerbala.

"We, the Iraqi people, want a presidential regime, we don't want a parliamentary regime'', Haider added.

Rampant corruption and inflation have drives Iraqis to the streets, with the youth demanding jobs and economic stability. Even though Iraq has a history of violence and protests, the last two years were relatively quiet.&nbsp;

At least 250 people have been killed since the unrest started on October 1.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Thousands of Iraqis gathered in Baghdad's Tahrir Square on Wednesday, defying the curfew, in a series of anti-government protests. Young men clad in Iraqi flags flooded the streets.

Thousands of Iraqis gathered in Baghdad's Tahrir Square on Wednesday, defying the curfew, in a series of anti-government protests. Young men clad in Iraqi flags flooded the streets. The protests have been largely successful owing to the mobilisation of people via cars, taxis, motorcycles and even tuk-tuks. According to Reuters, one protester named Haider demanded to have a "presidential regime" in the country, saying, "when a new president comes to power, he only rules us for four years, and then we can fire him." Iraq has witnessed more than hundreds of deaths and continuous protests over the last month against the government. On Monday itself, Iraqi security forces opened fire on protesters and killed at least 18 people in the Shi'ite holy city of Kerbala. "We, the Iraqi people, want a presidential regime, we don't want a parliamentary regime'', Haider added. Rampant corruption and inflation have drives Iraqis to the streets, with the youth demanding jobs and economic stability. Even though Iraq has a history of violence and protests, the last two years were relatively quiet. At least 250 people have been killed since the unrest started on October 1. (With inputs from Reuters)

Thousands defy curfew and gather in Baghdad to protest against government

Ecuador President Lenin Moreno on Saturday ordered the capital Quito and surrounding areas placed under curfew and military control, as the 11th day of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ecuador-indigenous-group-rejects-talks-to-end-fuel-protests-255404">deadly protests against government</a> austerity measures roiled the city.

The order would "facilitate the work of public forces against intolerable outbreaks of violence," he announced on Twitter, as clouds of smoke hung over the city.

"I have arranged for the Joint Command of the Armed Forces to immediately carry out necessary measures and operations," Moreno said in a brief national address, flanked by Vice President Otto Sonnenholzner and Defense Minister Oswaldo Jarrin.&nbsp;

The restrictions in Quito, a city of 2.7 million, came on top of a state of emergency Moreno had declared on October 3, deploying some 75,000 military and police and imposing a nighttime curfew in the vicinity of government buildings.

Violence continued in Quito on Saturday even as the indigenous movement leading the protests over fuel price hikes reversed course and said it had accepted a proposal for direct talks with Moreno.

In his address, Moreno thanked indigenous groups for agreeing to negotiations but did not say when or where the talks would take place.

The president stressed that he would restore "order throughout Ecuador" as thousands of protesters thronged the streets of Quito.

Demonstrators on Saturday ransacked and set fire to the building housing the comptroller general's office. The building was shrouded in thick smoke after being attacked with firebombs.

According to the prosecutor's office, 34 people were arrested.

Media attacked

Nearby, protesters erected barricades in front of the National Assembly building as police fired tear gas at them, according to AFP journalists at the scene.

A television station and a newspaper also came under attack, the outlets said.

The Teleamazonas TV channel interrupted its regular broadcast to air images of broken windows, a burned vehicle and heavy police presence on the scene.&nbsp;

"For about half an hour we were under attack. They threw stones at us, forced open the doors and threw Molotov cocktails," presenter Milton Perez said.

The station evacuated 25 employees, none of whom were hurt.

El Comercio newspaper reported on Twitter that its offices were attacked by a "group of unknowns." It did not provide further details.

Protest leaders denied being involved in the attacks on the TV station or the comptroller general's office.

"We have nothing to do with the events at the comptroller's office and Teleamazonas," said CONAIE, the indigenous umbrella group which has been leading the protests.

Protesters did not immediately heed the curfew which went into effect at 3:00 pm (2000 GMT), with security forces still struggling to impose order in some parts of the city as night fell.

People who emptied the streets little by little left demanding the end of repression.

"Where are the mothers and fathers of the police? Why do they let them kill us?" cried Nancy Quinyupani, an indigenous woman.

Six dead

The demonstrations have left six people dead and nearly 2,100 wounded or detained, according to the ombudsman's office.

Earlier Saturday CONAIE said it had agreed to hold talks with Moreno after consulting with its members. On Friday the group had rejected the president's proposal to negotiate.

Ecuador's indigenous groups make up a quarter of the country's 17.3 million people.

Indigenous groups from disadvantaged communities in the Amazon and the Andes have spearheaded demands that Moreno reinstate fuel subsidies that were cut last week -- part of a deal his government struck to obtain a $4.2 billion loan from the IMF.

Fuel prices have more than doubled from October 3.

The violence has forced Moreno to relocate his government to Ecuador's second city, Guayaquil, and has hit the oil industry hard with the Energy Ministry suspending more than two-thirds of its distribution of crude.

Protesters seized three oil facilities in the Amazon earlier this week.

Moreno is struggling with an economic crisis that he blames on waste and corruption by the administration of his predecessor Rafael Correa.

Moreno has accused Correa and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of an "attempted coup d'etat" using indigenous groups.

Maduro, a leftist firebrand whom Washington is seeking to oust, has denounced allegations of involvement as absurd, but praised the "popular insurrection" against the IMF.

Ecuador President Lenin Moreno on Saturday ordered the capital Quito and surrounding areas placed under curfew and military control, as the 11th day of deadly protests against government austerity measures roiled the city.

Ecuador President Lenin Moreno on Saturday ordered the capital Quito and surrounding areas placed under curfew and military control, as the 11th day of deadly protests against government austerity measures roiled the city. The order would "facilitate the work of public forces against intolerable outbreaks of violence," he announced on Twitter, as clouds of smoke hung over the city. "I have arranged for the Joint Command of the Armed Forces to immediately carry out necessary measures and operations," Moreno said in a brief national address, flanked by Vice President Otto Sonnenholzner and Defense Minister Oswaldo Jarrin. The restrictions in Quito, a city of 2.7 million, came on top of a state of emergency Moreno had declared on October 3, deploying some 75,000 military and police and imposing a nighttime curfew in the vicinity of government buildings. Violence continued in Quito on Saturday even as the indigenous movement leading the protests over fuel price hikes reversed course and said it had accepted a proposal for direct talks with Moreno. In his address, Moreno thanked indigenous groups for agreeing to negotiations but did not say when or where the talks would take place. The president stressed that he would restore "order throughout Ecuador" as thousands of protesters thronged the streets of Quito. Demonstrators on Saturday ransacked and set fire to the building housing the comptroller general's office. The building was shrouded in thick smoke after being attacked with firebombs. According to the prosecutor's office, 34 people were arrested. Media attacked Nearby, protesters erected barricades in front of the National Assembly building as police fired tear gas at them, according to AFP journalists at the scene. A television station and a newspaper also came under attack, the outlets said. The Teleamazonas TV channel interrupted its regular broadcast to air images of broken windows, a burned vehicle and heavy police presence on the scene. "For about half an hour we were under attack. They threw stones at us, forced open the doors and threw Molotov cocktails," presenter Milton Perez said. The station evacuated 25 employees, none of whom were hurt. El Comercio newspaper reported on Twitter that its offices were attacked by a "group of unknowns." It did not provide further details. Protest leaders denied being involved in the attacks on the TV station or the comptroller general's office. "We have nothing to do with the events at the comptroller's office and Teleamazonas," said CONAIE, the indigenous umbrella group which has been leading the protests. Protesters did not immediately heed the curfew which went into effect at 3:00 pm (2000 GMT), with security forces still struggling to impose order in some parts of the city as night fell. People who emptied the streets little by little left demanding the end of repression. "Where are the mothers and fathers of the police? Why do they let them kill us?" cried Nancy Quinyupani, an indigenous woman. Six dead The demonstrations have left six people dead and nearly 2,100 wounded or detained, according to the ombudsman's office. Earlier Saturday CONAIE said it had agreed to hold talks with Moreno after consulting with its members. On Friday the group had rejected the president's proposal to negotiate. Ecuador's indigenous groups make up a quarter of the country's 17.3 million people. Indigenous groups from disadvantaged communities in the Amazon and the Andes have spearheaded demands that Moreno reinstate fuel subsidies that were cut last week -- part of a deal his government struck to obtain a $4.2 billion loan from the IMF. Fuel prices have more than doubled from October 3. The violence has forced Moreno to relocate his government to Ecuador's second city, Guayaquil, and has hit the oil industry hard with the Energy Ministry suspending more than two-thirds of its distribution of crude. Protesters seized three oil facilities in the Amazon earlier this week. Moreno is struggling with an economic crisis that he blames on waste and corruption by the administration of his predecessor Rafael Correa. Moreno has accused Correa and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of an "attempted coup d'etat" using indigenous groups. Maduro, a leftist firebrand whom Washington is seeking to oust, has denounced allegations of involvement as absurd, but praised the "popular insurrection" against the IMF.

Ecuador President Lenin Moreno orders curfew, military control in Quito

Iraqi authorities <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-protest-death-toll-nears-100-rights-panel-253906">lifted a&nbsp;curfew in Baghdad</a> on Saturday&nbsp;that anti-government protesters had defied, as the toll from four days of violent unrest rose to 72 killed and hundreds injured.

Traffic ran as normal through the Iraqi capital and streets and main squares were otherwise quiet. Concrete barriers blocked off areas where protesters in their thousands clashed with police during the week.

Iraq's semi-official High Commission for Human Rights said security forces had detained hundreds of people for demonstrating but then let most of them go.

Police snipers <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-protests-death-toll-rises-to-73-over-3000-injured-rights-commssion-253886">shot at protesters</a> on Friday, Reuters reporters said, escalating violent tactics used by the security forces that have included live fire, tear gas and water cannons.

The security forces have accused gunmen of hiding among demonstrators to shoot at police. Several policemen have died.

The protests over the unfair distribution of jobs, lack of services and government corruption erupted on Tuesday in Baghdad and quickly spread to other Iraqi cities, mainly in the south.

It is the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-protest-at-least-60-people-dead-cleric-sadr-demands-government-resign-253833">deadliest unrest Iraq has seen since the declared defeat of Islamic State</a> in 2017 and has shaken the year-old government of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.

Iraqi authorities lifted a curfew in Baghdad on Saturday that anti-government protesters had defied, as the toll from four days of violent unrest rose to 72 killed and hundreds injured.

Iraqi authorities lifted a curfew in Baghdad on Saturday that anti-government protesters had defied, as the toll from four days of violent unrest rose to 72 killed and hundreds injured. Traffic ran as normal through the Iraqi capital and streets and main squares were otherwise quiet. Concrete barriers blocked off areas where protesters in their thousands clashed with police during the week. Iraq's semi-official High Commission for Human Rights said security forces had detained hundreds of people for demonstrating but then let most of them go. Police snipers shot at protesters on Friday, Reuters reporters said, escalating violent tactics used by the security forces that have included live fire, tear gas and water cannons. The security forces have accused gunmen of hiding among demonstrators to shoot at police. Several policemen have died. The protests over the unfair distribution of jobs, lack of services and government corruption erupted on Tuesday in Baghdad and quickly spread to other Iraqi cities, mainly in the south. It is the deadliest unrest Iraq has seen since the declared defeat of Islamic State in 2017 and has shaken the year-old government of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.

Iraqi authorities lift Baghdad curfew amid protests

An indefinite curfew came into effect early Thursday in Iraq's capital after two days of chaotic <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-vows-crackdown-after-protesters-torch-iran-consulate-164347">protests across the country</a> that descended into violence and left nine dead.

Iraqi premier Adel Abdel Mahdi ordered the ban on movements across Baghdad starting at 5:00 am local time&nbsp;to stem the popular demonstrations over widespread unemployment and state corruption.

Early Thursday, some cars and civilians were seen in the capital's streets, an AFP photographer said, but residents are wary that more protests could erupt after firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr called for "a general strike".

The tension has been exacerbated by a near-total internet shutdown, the closure of government offices and at least one overnight explosion that hit the Green Zone, where some ministries and embassies are located.

A security source inside the area told AFP there were two blasts, likely caused by indirect fire a little over a week after two rockets hit near the US embassy there.

The apparent attack came hours after security forces sealed off the Green Zone "until further notice", fearing angry protesters would swarm state buildings or foreign missions.

Since erupting in Baghdad on Tuesday, the protests have spread to other cities in the country's south.

Riot police in the capital have used water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds in an attempt to disperse protesters from the central Tahrir Square and other areas.

Into the night on Wednesday, marches from different parts of Baghdad attempted to converge on Tahrir.

But with internet access virtually shut, demonstrators have struggled to communicate with each other or post footage of the latest clashes.

'De-escalation needed' 

In the holy city of Najaf and in Nasiriyah further to the south on Wednesday, security forces fired on protesters and curfews were also declared.

Nine people including a police officer have so far been killed, most of them in Nasiriyah and more than 400 people have been wounded, according to health authorities.

The protests appear to be largely spontaneous so far, with angry crowds carrying Iraqi flags and shunning any involvement by the country's main political players.

Many traditional figures have expressed their support for the movement, with Sadr urging "peaceful demonstrations."

He was behind the last round of major protests in Baghdad in 2016 when his supporters stormed the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-kabul-to-baghdad-a-tale-of-two-green-zones-237143">Green Zone</a>, but his involvement appears much more limited this time.

On Wednesday night, the top United Nations official in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-pm-urged-to-quit-as-key-ally-deserts-him-over-unrest-164517">Iraq</a>&nbsp;Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert met with some protesters in Baghdad to call for "direct dialogue" between them and government officials.

"The ability to preserve the right to protest is a sign of political and democratic maturity. Moreover, the use of force only fuels the anger," she said in a statement.

"De-escalation is urgently needed."

The violence drew a slew of criticism from Iraqi leaders including President Barham Saleh, and parliament has demanded an investigation into the incidents.

The protests follow months of simmering frustration over rampant power cuts, water shortages and state corruption.

But anger over staggering rates of youth unemployment, which is around 25 per cent or double the adult rate according to the World Bank, appears to have set off this particular round of demonstrations.

"We want jobs and better public services. We've been demanding them for years and the government has never responded," said Abdallah Walid, a 27-year-old protester.

Demonstrations over similar issues engulfed Basra last summer and effectively ended previous premier Haider al-Abadi's chances of a second term.

Abdel Mahdi now faces a similar challenge just weeks before his government marks a full year in power.

He called for the curfew after convening his national security council for an emergency meeting on Wednesday.

Abdel Mahdi has also blamed the violence on "aggressors who&nbsp;deliberately created casualties," a statement met with rage by protesters.

An indefinite curfew came into effect early Thursday in Iraq's capital after two days of chaotic protests across the country that descended into violence and left nine dead.

An indefinite curfew came into effect early Thursday in Iraq's capital after two days of chaotic protests across the country that descended into violence and left nine dead. Iraqi premier Adel Abdel Mahdi ordered the ban on movements across Baghdad starting at 5:00 am local time to stem the popular demonstrations over widespread unemployment and state corruption. Early Thursday, some cars and civilians were seen in the capital's streets, an AFP photographer said, but residents are wary that more protests could erupt after firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr called for "a general strike". The tension has been exacerbated by a near-total internet shutdown, the closure of government offices and at least one overnight explosion that hit the Green Zone, where some ministries and embassies are located. A security source inside the area told AFP there were two blasts, likely caused by indirect fire a little over a week after two rockets hit near the US embassy there. The apparent attack came hours after security forces sealed off the Green Zone "until further notice", fearing angry protesters would swarm state buildings or foreign missions. Since erupting in Baghdad on Tuesday, the protests have spread to other cities in the country's south. Riot police in the capital have used water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds in an attempt to disperse protesters from the central Tahrir Square and other areas. Into the night on Wednesday, marches from different parts of Baghdad attempted to converge on Tahrir. But with internet access virtually shut, demonstrators have struggled to communicate with each other or post footage of the latest clashes. 'De-escalation needed' In the holy city of Najaf and in Nasiriyah further to the south on Wednesday, security forces fired on protesters and curfews were also declared. Nine people including a police officer have so far been killed, most of them in Nasiriyah and more than 400 people have been wounded, according to health authorities. The protests appear to be largely spontaneous so far, with angry crowds carrying Iraqi flags and shunning any involvement by the country's main political players. Many traditional figures have expressed their support for the movement, with Sadr urging "peaceful demonstrations." He was behind the last round of major protests in Baghdad in 2016 when his supporters stormed the Green Zone, but his involvement appears much more limited this time. On Wednesday night, the top United Nations official in Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert met with some protesters in Baghdad to call for "direct dialogue" between them and government officials. "The ability to preserve the right to protest is a sign of political and democratic maturity. Moreover, the use of force only fuels the anger," she said in a statement. "De-escalation is urgently needed." The violence drew a slew of criticism from Iraqi leaders including President Barham Saleh, and parliament has demanded an investigation into the incidents. The protests follow months of simmering frustration over rampant power cuts, water shortages and state corruption. But anger over staggering rates of youth unemployment, which is around 25 per cent or double the adult rate according to the World Bank, appears to have set off this particular round of demonstrations. "We want jobs and better public services. We've been demanding them for years and the government has never responded," said Abdallah Walid, a 27-year-old protester. Demonstrations over similar issues engulfed Basra last summer and effectively ended previous premier Haider al-Abadi's chances of a second term. Abdel Mahdi now faces a similar challenge just weeks before his government marks a full year in power. He called for the curfew after convening his national security council for an emergency meeting on Wednesday. Abdel Mahdi has also blamed the violence on "aggressors who deliberately created casualties," a statement met with rage by protesters.

Indefinite Curfew imposed in Baghdad after deadly protests

Pakistan Interior Minister Brig Ijaz Ahmed Shah has brought a major embarrassment to Prime Minister Imran Khan and his coterie of ministers with his admission that Islamabad has failed to get support from the international community over its stand on Kashmir issue.

Shah blamed Pakistan's "ruling elite" including Khan for "destroying" the image of the country.

"People do not believe us in the international community. We say they (India) impose curfew and are not giving medicines to people of Jammu and Kashmir. People do not believe us but they believe them. The ruling elite has destroyed the country. The ruling elite of this country destroyed the name. People thought we are not a serious nation," he said, during a talk show on Pakistani news channel Hum News on Wednesday.

When asked whether Khan, Benazir Bhutto, Pervez Musharraf, and others were a part of the ruling elite, the former spy chief said: "Everyone is responsible. Pakistan should now do a soul searching."

Ijaz's remarks came a day after Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, during a UNHRC session in Geneva, claimed that India has transformed Jammu and Kashmir into the largest "caged prison in this planet" after the abrogation of Article 370 and that the human rights were being "trampled with impunity" there.

India had rejected Qureshi's allegations and hit back saying a "fabricated narrative" on Jammu and Kashmir has come from "the epicentre of global terrorism" and from a nation, which conducts cross-border terrorism as a form of alternate diplomacy.

Islamabad has been left red-faced after its desperate attempts to internationalise the Kashmir issue fell flat.

The country has found itself isolated after being snubbed at the United Nations, as well as by countries like the United States, France, and Russia. India's decision has been hailed internationally with several countries calling the move as India's internal matter even as Pakistan has been trying to internationalise the issue.

Islamabad has found itself completely isolated despite desperate attempts aimed at internationalising the issue.

Pakistan has approached various world leaders, including Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, French President Emmanuel Macron and the Jordanian King Abdullah II to seek their interventions into the issue, but in vain.

However, Pakistan has been told to engage bilaterally with India to end tensions. India has repeatedly made it clear that talks with Pakistan are only possible after Islamabad stops sponsoring terror.&nbsp;

Pakistan Interior Minister Brig Ijaz Ahmed Shah has brought a major embarrassment to Prime Minister Imran Khan and his coterie of ministers with his admission that Islamabad has failed to get support from the international community over its stand on Kashmir issue.

Pakistan Interior Minister Brig Ijaz Ahmed Shah has brought a major embarrassment to Prime Minister Imran Khan and his coterie of ministers with his admission that Islamabad has failed to get support from the international community over its stand on Kashmir issue. Shah blamed Pakistan's "ruling elite" including Khan for "destroying" the image of the country. "People do not believe us in the international community. We say they (India) impose curfew and are not giving medicines to people of Jammu and Kashmir. People do not believe us but they believe them. The ruling elite has destroyed the country. The ruling elite of this country destroyed the name. People thought we are not a serious nation," he said, during a talk show on Pakistani news channel Hum News on Wednesday. When asked whether Khan, Benazir Bhutto, Pervez Musharraf, and others were a part of the ruling elite, the former spy chief said: "Everyone is responsible. Pakistan should now do a soul searching." Ijaz's remarks came a day after Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, during a UNHRC session in Geneva, claimed that India has transformed Jammu and Kashmir into the largest "caged prison in this planet" after the abrogation of Article 370 and that the human rights were being "trampled with impunity" there. India had rejected Qureshi's allegations and hit back saying a "fabricated narrative" on Jammu and Kashmir has come from "the epicentre of global terrorism" and from a nation, which conducts cross-border terrorism as a form of alternate diplomacy. Islamabad has been left red-faced after its desperate attempts to internationalise the Kashmir issue fell flat. The country has found itself isolated after being snubbed at the United Nations, as well as by countries like the United States, France, and Russia. India's decision has been hailed internationally with several countries calling the move as India's internal matter even as Pakistan has been trying to internationalise the issue. Islamabad has found itself completely isolated despite desperate attempts aimed at internationalising the issue. Pakistan has approached various world leaders, including Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, French President Emmanuel Macron and the Jordanian King Abdullah II to seek their interventions into the issue, but in vain. However, Pakistan has been told to engage bilaterally with India to end tensions. India has repeatedly made it clear that talks with Pakistan are only possible after Islamabad stops sponsoring terror.

Pakistan fails to convince international community over Kashmir issue: Minister

It's A Working Monday In Jammu & Kashmir As Restrictions Are Being Eased In A Phased Manner.

WION Gravitas: Jammu & Kashmir slowly but surely on its way to normalcy

Government offices and schools reopened in India's Jammu and Kashmir with a mixed response on Monday (August 19), after two weeks of lockdown. Several areas of Jammu and Kashmir were facing a curfew-like situation after the administration imposed restrictions to curb violence in the valley, in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's decision to abrogate Article 370 and 35A, revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Kashmir schools, offices reopen amid tight security

Sri Lankan authorities said they have arrested 60 people linked to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankan-police-make-arrests-amid-violence-after-easter-attack-218825">communal riots as a nationwide curfew was lifted</a> on Wednesday in the island nation, which witnessed Sinhalese mob attacks on Muslim-owned shops and businesses in the aftermath of the deadly Easter blasts.

The government imposed the island-wide curfew on Monday after the violence against the Muslim community, who account for 10 per cent of the country's population. The curfew was briefly lifted on Tuesday before being reimposed for a second straight night following reports of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-president-bans-ntj-two-other-islamist-extremist-organisations-218736">fresh violence in some parts of the country</a>.

"The curfew imposed in the North-western Province and Gampaha Police division was removed at 6 am Wednesday while the curfew in the other areas of the island ended at 4 am," police media spokesman's office stated.

The situation in the province is returning to normalcy, authorities said.

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There were no incidents of violence overnight and groups of people responsible for taking part in mob attacks have been arrested, they said.

"Thirty-three suspects arrested in connection with the anti-Muslim riots have been remanded and over 60 people have been arrested. The suspects can be sentenced to 10 years in prison under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said.

The police media spokesman said the illegal activities committed by the persons engaged in violence will be noted in their police certificates.

The academic activities of all schools and all the state institutions in the province were resumed on Wednesday, the Wayamba Province Governor Peshala Jayaratne said.

The recent violence is a fresh backlash from the Easter attacks where nine suicide bombers, including a woman, carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels, killing 258 people and injuring over 500 others.

Muslims said that rioters went about destroying their properties and setting fire to them even after curfew hours. They accused the security forces and the police for becoming silent watchers to the rioting.

Muslim political parties said at least one person was killed in the riots.

The attacks come during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramazan.

The government also reimposed a ban on social media following the violent clashes. The government which blocked Facebook and WhatsApp on Tuesday extended the blockade to Twitter.

The social media blockade is meant to prevent the spread of rumours and hate comments, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority said.

Sri Lanka has a population of 21 million which is a patchwork of ethnicities and religions, dominated by the Sinhalese Buddhist majority.

Muslims account for 10 per cent of the population and are the second-largest minority after Hindus. Around seven per cent of Sri Lankans are Christians.&nbsp;

Sri Lankan authorities said they have arrested 60 people linked to the communal riots as a nationwide curfew was lifted on Wednesday in the island nation, which witnessed Sinhalese mob attacks on Muslim-owned shops and businesses in the aftermath of the deadly Easter blasts.

Sri Lankan authorities said they have arrested 60 people linked to the communal riots as a nationwide curfew was lifted on Wednesday in the island nation, which witnessed Sinhalese mob attacks on Muslim-owned shops and businesses in the aftermath of the deadly Easter blasts. The government imposed the island-wide curfew on Monday after the violence against the Muslim community, who account for 10 per cent of the country's population. The curfew was briefly lifted on Tuesday before being reimposed for a second straight night following reports of fresh violence in some parts of the country. "The curfew imposed in the North-western Province and Gampaha Police division was removed at 6 am Wednesday while the curfew in the other areas of the island ended at 4 am," police media spokesman's office stated. The situation in the province is returning to normalcy, authorities said. There were no incidents of violence overnight and groups of people responsible for taking part in mob attacks have been arrested, they said. "Thirty-three suspects arrested in connection with the anti-Muslim riots have been remanded and over 60 people have been arrested. The suspects can be sentenced to 10 years in prison under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said. The police media spokesman said the illegal activities committed by the persons engaged in violence will be noted in their police certificates. The academic activities of all schools and all the state institutions in the province were resumed on Wednesday, the Wayamba Province Governor Peshala Jayaratne said. The recent violence is a fresh backlash from the Easter attacks where nine suicide bombers, including a woman, carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels, killing 258 people and injuring over 500 others. Muslims said that rioters went about destroying their properties and setting fire to them even after curfew hours. They accused the security forces and the police for becoming silent watchers to the rioting. Muslim political parties said at least one person was killed in the riots. The attacks come during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramazan. The government also reimposed a ban on social media following the violent clashes. The government which blocked Facebook and WhatsApp on Tuesday extended the blockade to Twitter. The social media blockade is meant to prevent the spread of rumours and hate comments, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority said. Sri Lanka has a population of 21 million which is a patchwork of ethnicities and religions, dominated by the Sinhalese Buddhist majority. Muslims account for 10 per cent of the population and are the second-largest minority after Hindus. Around seven per cent of Sri Lankans are Christians.

Sri Lanka police lifts nationwide curfew, arrests 60 people over riots

The Sri Lankan government on Monday imposed a new night-time curfew in the country as tensions remained high following a series of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-serial-blasts-authorities-lift-curfew-after-death-toll-spikes-to-290-212490">bomb attacks on Sunday</a>.

The curfew will run from 8 pm on Monday until 4 am on Tuesday, the government information department said.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-revises-travel-advisory-for-sri-lanka-warns-terrorists-continue-plotting-attacks-212496">US revises travel advisory for Sri Lanka, warns 'terrorists' continue plotting attacks</a>

An indefinite curfew ordered Sunday after the attacks was&nbsp;lifted early Monday but a two-day holiday was decreed in a bid to reduce public traffic.

Around&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/25-foreigners-among-207-killed-in-sri-lanka-mayhem-report-212463">290 people were killed</a>&nbsp;and about 500 wounded by a string of bombings that tore through churches and luxury hotels on Easter Sunday.

Twenty four people were arrested by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-memo-circulated-a-day-before-had-warned-of-attack-212458">Sri Lankan police&nbsp;</a>in connection with a series of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-memo-circulated-a-day-before-had-warned-of-attack-212458">devastating bomb blasts</a>&nbsp;in the country.

Authorities have not made public details on those held after Sunday's attacks.

There was still no claim of responsibility for the attacks on two churches and four hotels in and around Colombo, the capital of predominantly Buddhist Sri Lanka, and a third church on the country's northeast coast.

A government source said President Maithripala Sirisena, who was abroad when the attacks happened, had called a meeting of the National Security Council early on Monday. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe would attend the meeting, the source said.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The Sri Lankan government on Monday imposed a new night-time curfew in the country as tensions remained high following a series of bomb attacks on Sunday. The curfew will run from 8 pm on Monday until 4 am on Tuesday, the government information department said.

The Sri Lankan government on Monday imposed a new night-time curfew in the country as tensions remained high following a series of bomb attacks on Sunday. The curfew will run from 8 pm on Monday until 4 am on Tuesday, the government information department said. Also read: US revises travel advisory for Sri Lanka, warns 'terrorists' continue plotting attacks An indefinite curfew ordered Sunday after the attacks was lifted early Monday but a two-day holiday was decreed in a bid to reduce public traffic. Around 290 people were killed and about 500 wounded by a string of bombings that tore through churches and luxury hotels on Easter Sunday. Twenty four people were arrested by Sri Lankan police in connection with a series of the devastating bomb blasts in the country. Authorities have not made public details on those held after Sunday's attacks. There was still no claim of responsibility for the attacks on two churches and four hotels in and around Colombo, the capital of predominantly Buddhist Sri Lanka, and a third church on the country's northeast coast. A government source said President Maithripala Sirisena, who was abroad when the attacks happened, had called a meeting of the National Security Council early on Monday. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe would attend the meeting, the source said. (With inputs from Reuters)

Sri Lanka government orders new curfew after attacks

Medical Assistant Chandrakant Sharma who was attacked by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar on Tuesday morning succumbed to his injuries, BJP spokesperson Sunil Sethi said.

Sharma, who used to work at a district hospital in Kishtwar was associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS).

He had suffered injuries during the attack by terrorists this morning while his Personal Security Officer (PSO) was shot dead.

Soon after receiving the report of the incident, a police team rushed to the spot.

Security forces have launched a search operation to nab the perpetrators and a curfew has been imposed in the area.

Sharma was close to BJP state secretary Anil Parihar.

Last year, Anil Parihar and his brother were shot dead by terrorists in Kishtwar district.

Medical Assistant Chandrakant Sharma who was attacked by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar on Tuesday morning succumbed to his injuries, BJP spokesperson Sunil Sethi said.

Medical Assistant Chandrakant Sharma who was attacked by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar on Tuesday morning succumbed to his injuries, BJP spokesperson Sunil Sethi said. Sharma, who used to work at a district hospital in Kishtwar was associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS). He had suffered injuries during the attack by terrorists this morning while his Personal Security Officer (PSO) was shot dead. Soon after receiving the report of the incident, a police team rushed to the spot. Security forces have launched a search operation to nab the perpetrators and a curfew has been imposed in the area. Sharma was close to BJP state secretary Anil Parihar. Last year, Anil Parihar and his brother were shot dead by terrorists in Kishtwar district.

RSS worker Chandrakant Sharma, PSO killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, curfew imposed

Curfew in pockets of Shillong was relaxed for seven hours today, even as Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the violence that broke out on Thursday was a local issue and not communal in nature.

A team of Shiromani Akali Dal leaders from Delhi visited the Meghalaya capital in view of the clashes between two communities leaving at least 10 people injured.

The East Khasi Hills district authorities relaxed the curfew from 8 am to 3 pm to allow churchgoers to attend Sunday services, officials said.

"The problem is very much in a particular locality, on a particular issue. It just happened that two particular communities were involved, but it's not a communal thing," Sangma told a press conference here.

The clashes in parts of Shillong were given a communal colour by vested groups and a section of the media outside the state, he said.

A number of those arrested in connection with the violence are from outside East Khasi Hills district, in which Shillong falls, and they were given alcohol and cash by some people, he said.

The administration exercised restraint in the first 48 hours and met leaders of civil society organisations to ascertain if their members were involved.

"We came to know there is a large number of people who have come here from West Khasi Hills district and many of those nabbed by the police were from outside Shillong," he said.

The administration and the police are on the job to protect every individual, said Sangma, who chaired a meeting of officials of the home department and Director General of Police S B Singh earlier in the day.

Earlier, a SAD team, including MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa and the party's Delhi unit president Manjit Singh, met the residents of the violence-affected area.

The SAD team also called on the chief minister.

"I am happy to inform you that the delegation was very happy with the response of the state government to ensure that all citizens are given protection," he said.

Officials told PTI that the curfew was promulgated in 14 localities under the jurisdictions of the Lumdiengjri police station and the Cantonment police beat house resumed at 3 pm.

Night curfew will continue in the entire city from 10 pm till 5 am, and Internet and messaging services continue to remain suspended, the official said.&nbsp;

'The problem is very much in a particular locality, on a particular issue. It just happened that two particular communities were involved, but it's not a communal thing,' Sangma said

Curfew in pockets of Shillong was relaxed for seven hours today, even as Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the violence that broke out on Thursday was a local issue and not communal in nature. A team of Shiromani Akali Dal leaders from Delhi visited the Meghalaya capital in view of the clashes between two communities leaving at least 10 people injured. The East Khasi Hills district authorities relaxed the curfew from 8 am to 3 pm to allow churchgoers to attend Sunday services, officials said. "The problem is very much in a particular locality, on a particular issue. It just happened that two particular communities were involved, but it's not a communal thing," Sangma told a press conference here. The clashes in parts of Shillong were given a communal colour by vested groups and a section of the media outside the state, he said. A number of those arrested in connection with the violence are from outside East Khasi Hills district, in which Shillong falls, and they were given alcohol and cash by some people, he said. The administration exercised restraint in the first 48 hours and met leaders of civil society organisations to ascertain if their members were involved. "We came to know there is a large number of people who have come here from West Khasi Hills district and many of those nabbed by the police were from outside Shillong," he said. The administration and the police are on the job to protect every individual, said Sangma, who chaired a meeting of officials of the home department and Director General of Police S B Singh earlier in the day. Earlier, a SAD team, including MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa and the party's Delhi unit president Manjit Singh, met the residents of the violence-affected area. The SAD team also called on the chief minister. "I am happy to inform you that the delegation was very happy with the response of the state government to ensure that all citizens are given protection," he said. Officials told PTI that the curfew was promulgated in 14 localities under the jurisdictions of the Lumdiengjri police station and the Cantonment police beat house resumed at 3 pm. Night curfew will continue in the entire city from 10 pm till 5 am, and Internet and messaging services continue to remain suspended, the official said.

Shillong clashes not communal, says Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma

Curfew continued in parts of Shillong for the second day on Saturday as the Army conducted flag marches in disturbed areas and rescued several people following night-long violence and arson during which a mob torched a shop, a house and damaged at least five vehicles in Shillong, besides injuring a senior police officer, officials said.

The Army was requisitioned by the state government to conduct flag march in the affected areas. Army troops conducted the flag march and rescued about 500 people, including 200 women and children, Defence spokesperson Ratnakar Singh said.

He added that the rescued civilians were given food and water and have been sheltered at the Army cantonment in Shillong.

General Officer Commanding 101 Area Lt Gen D S Ahuja visited the affected people at the Army cantonment.

Superintendent of Police (City) Stephan Rynjah sustained injuries last night after he was hit by a rod. He has been admitted to the Shillong Civil Hospital, a senior police officer said.

At least 10 persons, including policemen, have been injured in the violence, which has triggered demands that the government take action against alleged illegal settlers in the area.

State police personnel were attacked by stone pelters in the Motphran area of the city.

Teargas shells were used to disperse rioters but people in other parts of the city mistook them for police firing, the officer said.

The clashes had begun after a bus handyman was allegedly assaulted by a group of residents of Them Metor area on Thursday afternoon.

Trouble escalated when rumours spread on social media that the handyman had succumbed to injuries, prompting a group of bus drivers to converge at Them Metor. The police had to fire teargas shells to disperse them, officials said.

The handyman and three injured persons were taken to a hospital where they were released after being administered first aid.

The East Khasi Hills district authorities had imposed night curfew in the entire city from 10 pm till 5 am to maintain peace and prevent arson, they said.

Four persons, accused of being involved in the assault of three local boys, have been arrested, they said. As many as 11 persons have been picked up in connection with the case so far.

Meanwhile, suspension of Internet services has been extended by 24 hours till tomorrow afternoon to prevent rumour-mongering.

The Home Department will review the overall situation later.

The curfew, which was imposed since 4 am yesterday in at least 14 localities under Lumdiengjri police station and Cantonment Beat House, continues, District deputy commissioner P S Dkhar said.

He said that there was no curfew in Police Bazaar and Iew Duh (Bara Bazaar) areas even as shops, schools and banks in these areas remained closed.

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who chaired a high-level meeting yesterday, had appealed for calm and urged the people to help bring back normalcy in Shillong.

Meanwhile, several groups including the Khasi Students Union (KSU), the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) and the Hynniewtrep Youth Council demanded that those involved in the assault of local boys be punished and the illegal settlers at Them Metor evicted.

"We demand that the government arrest those involved in the assault of the sons and nephew of the bus driver. The government should also compensate the three victims," KSU president Lambok Marngar said

The KSU leader also said that the government should evict illegal settlers at Them Metor which is adjacent to IewDuh.

"Them Metor has become a den for anti-nationals and it is sad that several governments in the past have not taken initiatives to evict them and provide them space somewhere else," said FKJGP president Wellbirth Rani.&nbsp

Curfew continued in parts of Shillong for the second day on Saturday as the Army conducted flag marches in disturbed areas and rescued several people following night-long violence and arson during which a mob torched a shop, a house and damaged at least five vehicles in Shillong, besides injuring a senior police officer

Curfew continued in parts of Shillong for the second day on Saturday as the Army conducted flag marches in disturbed areas and rescued several people following night-long violence and arson during which a mob torched a shop, a house and damaged at least five vehicles in Shillong, besides injuring a senior police officer, officials said. The Army was requisitioned by the state government to conduct flag march in the affected areas. Army troops conducted the flag march and rescued about 500 people, including 200 women and children, Defence spokesperson Ratnakar Singh said. He added that the rescued civilians were given food and water and have been sheltered at the Army cantonment in Shillong. General Officer Commanding 101 Area Lt Gen D S Ahuja visited the affected people at the Army cantonment. Superintendent of Police (City) Stephan Rynjah sustained injuries last night after he was hit by a rod. He has been admitted to the Shillong Civil Hospital, a senior police officer said. At least 10 persons, including policemen, have been injured in the violence, which has triggered demands that the government take action against alleged illegal settlers in the area. State police personnel were attacked by stone pelters in the Motphran area of the city. Teargas shells were used to disperse rioters but people in other parts of the city mistook them for police firing, the officer said. The clashes had begun after a bus handyman was allegedly assaulted by a group of residents of Them Metor area on Thursday afternoon. Trouble escalated when rumours spread on social media that the handyman had succumbed to injuries, prompting a group of bus drivers to converge at Them Metor. The police had to fire teargas shells to disperse them, officials said. The handyman and three injured persons were taken to a hospital where they were released after being administered first aid. The East Khasi Hills district authorities had imposed night curfew in the entire city from 10 pm till 5 am to maintain peace and prevent arson, they said. Four persons, accused of being involved in the assault of three local boys, have been arrested, they said. As many as 11 persons have been picked up in connection with the case so far. Meanwhile, suspension of Internet services has been extended by 24 hours till tomorrow afternoon to prevent rumour-mongering. The Home Department will review the overall situation later. The curfew, which was imposed since 4 am yesterday in at least 14 localities under Lumdiengjri police station and Cantonment Beat House, continues, District deputy commissioner P S Dkhar said. He said that there was no curfew in Police Bazaar and Iew Duh (Bara Bazaar) areas even as shops, schools and banks in these areas remained closed. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who chaired a high-level meeting yesterday, had appealed for calm and urged the people to help bring back normalcy in Shillong. Meanwhile, several groups including the Khasi Students Union (KSU), the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) and the Hynniewtrep Youth Council demanded that those involved in the assault of local boys be punished and the illegal settlers at Them Metor evicted. "We demand that the government arrest those involved in the assault of the sons and nephew of the bus driver. The government should also compensate the three victims," KSU president Lambok Marngar said The KSU leader also said that the government should evict illegal settlers at Them Metor which is adjacent to IewDuh. "Them Metor has become a den for anti-nationals and it is sad that several governments in the past have not taken initiatives to evict them and provide them space somewhere else," said FKJGP president Wellbirth Rani.

Curfew continues in Shillong for 2nd day; cop injured in clash

Six persons were killed and several others, including policemen, sustained injuries in violent protests in Madhya Pradesh during the nationwide bandh called today by Dalit outfits against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Curfew was clamped in three districts including Bhind, where the Army was called in to control the situation.

"Two people were killed in Gwalior while one person each died in Bhind and Morena districts during the violence," Inspector General (law and order) Makrand Deoskar told PTI.

Three&nbsp;other people were killed in the protests, two in Uttar Pradesh, and one in Alwar, Rajasthan, taking the total toll to nine.&nbsp;

Incidents of stone-pelting, arson and loot were also reported from several parts of the state during the protest, he said, adding that further details are awaited. 
 
A student leader, identified as Rahul Pathak, died in firing in Morena district, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Umesh Shukla told PTI.

Pathak was allegedly shot by agitators and he succumbed to injuries enroute to hospital, he said.

As the violence escalated, curfew was imposed in the entire city, Shukla said.

The protesters also stopped a train in Morena, the police said.

Curfew was also imposed in Gwalior and Bhind districts following violence, officials said.&nbsp;Gwalior Commissioner B M Sharma said, "Curfew has been imposed in several parts of the Gwalior city following violence during the protest."

The Tahtipur, Gola Ka Mandir, Hazira and Morar police station areas in Gwalior were brought under the purview of the curfew, a senior official said.

Curfew was also imposed in Bhind city, and Mehgaon, Lahar, Gohad and Machand areas of the district, Bhind Superintendent of Police Prashant Khare said.

The Army has been called in Bhind to control the situation, Khare said.

A person, identified as Mahavir Singh (32), died in the firing in Bhind district where while two others suffered serious injuries and were referred to a hospital in Gwalior, Bhind's chief medical and health officer J P S Kushwaha said.

In Jhabua, protesters looted shops during the agitation, triggering tension in the tribal town.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan appealed to the protesters to maintain peace in the state as the Centre has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court.

Protests were also held in the state capital Bhopal with agitators blocking a road on the Board Office Square near the statue of Dalit icon Dr B R Ambedkar.

More than two dozen vehicles were damaged, several of them torched by the protesters, eyewitnesses said.

In Morena district, the Chhattisgarh Express was stopped by protesters and was till at the station, they said.

The Supreme Court had on March 20 diluted certain provisions of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, in a bid to protect 'honest' public servants discharging bona fide duties from being blackmailed with false cases under the Act.

The verdict is being widely criticised by the Dalits and the Opposition, who claim that dilution of the Act will lead to more discrimination and crimes against the backward community.&nbsp;

The deaths took place in Madhya Pradesh where curfew was clamped on three districts, in one of which the army was called in to control the situation

Six persons were killed and several others, including policemen, sustained injuries in violent protests in Madhya Pradesh during the nationwide bandh called today by Dalit outfits against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Curfew was clamped in three districts including Bhind, where the Army was called in to control the situation. "Two people were killed in Gwalior while one person each died in Bhind and Morena districts during the violence," Inspector General (law and order) Makrand Deoskar told PTI. Three other people were killed in the protests, two in Uttar Pradesh, and one in Alwar, Rajasthan, taking the total toll to nine. Incidents of stone-pelting, arson and loot were also reported from several parts of the state during the protest, he said, adding that further details are awaited. A student leader, identified as Rahul Pathak, died in firing in Morena district, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Umesh Shukla told PTI. Pathak was allegedly shot by agitators and he succumbed to injuries enroute to hospital, he said. As the violence escalated, curfew was imposed in the entire city, Shukla said. The protesters also stopped a train in Morena, the police said. Curfew was also imposed in Gwalior and Bhind districts following violence, officials said. Gwalior Commissioner B M Sharma said, "Curfew has been imposed in several parts of the Gwalior city following violence during the protest." The Tahtipur, Gola Ka Mandir, Hazira and Morar police station areas in Gwalior were brought under the purview of the curfew, a senior official said. Curfew was also imposed in Bhind city, and Mehgaon, Lahar, Gohad and Machand areas of the district, Bhind Superintendent of Police Prashant Khare said. The Army has been called in Bhind to control the situation, Khare said. A person, identified as Mahavir Singh (32), died in the firing in Bhind district where while two others suffered serious injuries and were referred to a hospital in Gwalior, Bhind's chief medical and health officer J P S Kushwaha said. In Jhabua, protesters looted shops during the agitation, triggering tension in the tribal town. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan appealed to the protesters to maintain peace in the state as the Centre has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court. Protests were also held in the state capital Bhopal with agitators blocking a road on the Board Office Square near the statue of Dalit icon Dr B R Ambedkar. More than two dozen vehicles were damaged, several of them torched by the protesters, eyewitnesses said. In Morena district, the Chhattisgarh Express was stopped by protesters and was till at the station, they said. The Supreme Court had on March 20 diluted certain provisions of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, in a bid to protect 'honest' public servants discharging bona fide duties from being blackmailed with false cases under the Act. The verdict is being widely criticised by the Dalits and the Opposition, who claim that dilution of the Act will lead to more discrimination and crimes against the backward community.

Bharat Bandh protests: Death toll rises to 9 as violence sweeps across India

A curfew in the Sri Lankan town of Kandy will be temporarily lifted on Thursday, authorities said, following days of violence against members of the minority Muslim community by Buddhists.

Buddhist mobs have attacked mosques and Muslim businesses in the central highland town since an altercation between members of the two communities over the weekend, prompting President Maithripala Sirisena to declare a state of emergency.

The Kandy area was quiet on Wednesday night and early on Thursday, the military said.

&quot;The situation is improving and there have been no major incidents of violence reported in the last 12 hours,&quot; said Major General Rukman Dias, the army commander in the area.

Dias said the curfew was likely to be re-imposed in Kandy in the evening.

Communal tensions in Sri Lanka have grown in the past year with some hardline Buddhist groups accusing Muslims of forcing conversions to Islam and vandalising Buddhist archaeological sites. Muslim groups deny the allegations.

On Wednesday, a grenade blast killed one person and injured three in the area, despite the government&#39;s declaration of emergency rule and moves to block social messaging networks in an effort to halt inflammatory speech.

The government said on Wednesday Facebook, Viber and WhatsApp would be blocked across Sri Lanka for three days.

Muslims make up about 9 percent of Sri Lanka&rsquo;s 21 million people. Buddhists make up about 70 percent and ethnic Tamils, most of whom are Hindus, about 13 percent.

Some Buddhist nationalists have protested against the presence in Sri Lanka of Muslim Rohingya asylum-seekers from mostly Buddhist Myanmar, where Buddhist nationalism has also been on the rise.

Sri Lanka was for decades plagued by war between government forces and Tamil separatists. The government defeated the rebels in 2009.

Buddhist mobs have attacked mosques and Muslim businesses in the central highland town since an altercation between members of the two communities over the weekend, prompting President Maithripala Sirisena to declare a state of emergency.

A curfew in the Sri Lankan town of Kandy will be temporarily lifted on Thursday, authorities said, following days of violence against members of the minority Muslim community by Buddhists. Buddhist mobs have attacked mosques and Muslim businesses in the central highland town since an altercation between members of the two communities over the weekend, prompting President Maithripala Sirisena to declare a state of emergency. The Kandy area was quiet on Wednesday night and early on Thursday, the military said. "The situation is improving and there have been no major incidents of violence reported in the last 12 hours," said Major General Rukman Dias, the army commander in the area. Dias said the curfew was likely to be re-imposed in Kandy in the evening. Communal tensions in Sri Lanka have grown in the past year with some hardline Buddhist groups accusing Muslims of forcing conversions to Islam and vandalising Buddhist archaeological sites. Muslim groups deny the allegations. On Wednesday, a grenade blast killed one person and injured three in the area, despite the government's declaration of emergency rule and moves to block social messaging networks in an effort to halt inflammatory speech. The government said on Wednesday Facebook, Viber and WhatsApp would be blocked across Sri Lanka for three days. Muslims make up about 9 percent of Sri Lanka’s 21 million people. Buddhists make up about 70 percent and ethnic Tamils, most of whom are Hindus, about 13 percent. Some Buddhist nationalists have protested against the presence in Sri Lanka of Muslim Rohingya asylum-seekers from mostly Buddhist Myanmar, where Buddhist nationalism has also been on the rise. Sri Lanka was for decades plagued by war between government forces and Tamil separatists. The government defeated the rebels in 2009.

Curfew in Sri Lankan tourist town of Kandy to be temporarily lifted

Fresh violence today erupted in Muslim neighbourhoods in Sri Lanka&#39;s hilly central district where communal clashes have destroyed shops and homes, on a day when President Maithripala Sirisena divested the law and order portfolio from Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The communal violence between majority Sinhala Buddhists and minority Muslims in the Indian Ocean island nation has not subsided despite a state of emergency and a heavy deployment of troops in riot-hit Kandy district.

Anti-Muslim riots, since Monday, have damaged several homes, businesses and mosques. The violence erupted after the death of a man from the mainly Buddhist Sinhalese majority last week. 
To rein in communal violence, a state of emergency has been imposed by the Sirisena government after seven years.

The government ordered the internet blackout, blocking of social media websites including Facebook and instant messaging app Whatsapp after police discovered mobs of Sinhalese rioters were using social media to coordinate attacks on Muslim establishments. 
According to media reports, petrol bombs were hurled at a mosque even as armoured vehicles and heavily-armed troops fortified the troubled district, where anti-Muslim violence has left two people dead.

Eighty-one people, including the main suspect, who had led anti-Muslim violence were arrested, police said.

&quot;A man, named Vidanapathiranage Amith Jeewan Weerasinghe, who is believed to be the main suspect and nine others were arrested today,&quot; police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera told reporters.

They were arrested by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) in a special operation.

&quot;They were arrested for inciting communal violence and hate speech,&quot; he said.

He said since March 4, there have been two deaths due to clashes. &quot;One of them died of suffocation due to an arson attack while the other had died due to a grenade explosion&quot;, he added.

During the period, there have been 45 attacks against Muslim properties throughout the Kandy district and at least four religious sites had been attacked, the spokesperson said.

The arrests of main suspects came after the police came under increasing public criticism over its alleged inaction to prevent violence in spite of the imposition of curfew.

Earlier in the day, President Sirisena replaced Prime Minister Wickremesinghe as the law and order minister to curb the ongoing violence.

Ranjith Madduma Bandara, a senior politician from Wickremesinghe&#39;s United National Party (UNP) was sworn in as the new minister in charge of the police.

Wickremesinghe has sworn in as the law and order minister 11 days ago.

Yesterday, the President toured Kandy and ordered security forces to use the full force of the law against troublemakers.

More reinforcements were sent to the area last night to assist police. 
Meanwhile, the United Nations has condemned the violence and urged Colombo &quot;to ensure that appropriate measures are swiftly taken to restore normalcy in affected areas&quot;.

The Kandy region is about 115 kilometres from Colombo. It is a popular tourist as well as Buddhist pilgrimage destination.

The Sinhalese Buddhists are about 75 per cent of Sri Lanka&#39;s 21 million population while Muslims are 10 percent of the population. 
Tensions between Muslim groups and the majority Sinhalese Buddhist community in the country have escalated since the end of the civil war in May 2009.

In 2014, violence directed against Muslim minority groups broke out in the southwestern town of Aluthgama, following a rally by hardline Buddhist nationalist monks, resulting in the death of at least three Muslims.&nbsp;

To rein in communal violence, a state of emergency has been imposed by the Sirisena government after seven years

Fresh violence today erupted in Muslim neighbourhoods in Sri Lanka's hilly central district where communal clashes have destroyed shops and homes, on a day when President Maithripala Sirisena divested the law and order portfolio from Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The communal violence between majority Sinhala Buddhists and minority Muslims in the Indian Ocean island nation has not subsided despite a state of emergency and a heavy deployment of troops in riot-hit Kandy district. Anti-Muslim riots, since Monday, have damaged several homes, businesses and mosques. The violence erupted after the death of a man from the mainly Buddhist Sinhalese majority last week. To rein in communal violence, a state of emergency has been imposed by the Sirisena government after seven years. The government ordered the internet blackout, blocking of social media websites including Facebook and instant messaging app Whatsapp after police discovered mobs of Sinhalese rioters were using social media to coordinate attacks on Muslim establishments. According to media reports, petrol bombs were hurled at a mosque even as armoured vehicles and heavily-armed troops fortified the troubled district, where anti-Muslim violence has left two people dead. Eighty-one people, including the main suspect, who had led anti-Muslim violence were arrested, police said. "A man, named Vidanapathiranage Amith Jeewan Weerasinghe, who is believed to be the main suspect and nine others were arrested today," police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera told reporters. They were arrested by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) in a special operation. "They were arrested for inciting communal violence and hate speech," he said. He said since March 4, there have been two deaths due to clashes. "One of them died of suffocation due to an arson attack while the other had died due to a grenade explosion", he added. During the period, there have been 45 attacks against Muslim properties throughout the Kandy district and at least four religious sites had been attacked, the spokesperson said. The arrests of main suspects came after the police came under increasing public criticism over its alleged inaction to prevent violence in spite of the imposition of curfew. Earlier in the day, President Sirisena replaced Prime Minister Wickremesinghe as the law and order minister to curb the ongoing violence. Ranjith Madduma Bandara, a senior politician from Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) was sworn in as the new minister in charge of the police. Wickremesinghe has sworn in as the law and order minister 11 days ago. Yesterday, the President toured Kandy and ordered security forces to use the full force of the law against troublemakers. More reinforcements were sent to the area last night to assist police. Meanwhile, the United Nations has condemned the violence and urged Colombo "to ensure that appropriate measures are swiftly taken to restore normalcy in affected areas". The Kandy region is about 115 kilometres from Colombo. It is a popular tourist as well as Buddhist pilgrimage destination. The Sinhalese Buddhists are about 75 per cent of Sri Lanka's 21 million population while Muslims are 10 percent of the population. Tensions between Muslim groups and the majority Sinhalese Buddhist community in the country have escalated since the end of the civil war in May 2009. In 2014, violence directed against Muslim minority groups broke out in the southwestern town of Aluthgama, following a rally by hardline Buddhist nationalist monks, resulting in the death of at least three Muslims.

Fresh violence erupts in riot-hit Kandy, 81 suspects arrested

Curfew was re-imposed today in Sri Lanka&#39;s riot-hit Kandy district with immediate effect until further notice following reports of violence between majority Sinhala Buddhists and minority Muslims in other areas of the multi-ethnic district.

The authorities yesterday imposed curfew till this morning after communal violence erupted in the Theldeniya area of the central hill district that left two persons dead and damaged several mosques and homes.

Government spokesperson Rajitha Senaratne said that the curfew has been extended to prevent further violence.

Police fired teargas shells to disperse rioters in curfew-bound areas hours after a state of emergency was imposed in a bid to quell anti-Muslim violence, a senior police official said.

Following the incidents of violence, president Maithripala Sirisena yesterday declared a state of emergency and deployed the police and military to prevent further violence.

It was the first time since August 2011 that a state of emergency was in force in the Indian Ocean&#39;s island nation.

In the incidents of overnight violence in a Kandy suburb, Menikhinna, three policemen were injured while seven people were arrested for breaking the curfew and trying to cause unrest, police spokesman Superintendent of Police (SP) Ruwan Gunasekera said.

The government sent troops and elite police commandos to Kandy, home to famous tea plantations and Buddhist relics, to restore order and enforce the curfew.

The curfew was lifted last morning but was re-imposed soon after several mosques, shops and homes belonging to the minority community were badly damaged in the attacks by the Sinhalese Buddhists.

Sri Lanka has a long history of the state of emergency during the LTTE rebellion both in the south and the Tamil minority-dominated north and east of the island.

Schools in Kandy, which is about 115 kilometres from Colombo, remained closed today.

The Sri Lanka government also has restricted the access to the internet and blocked social media site Facebook in the Kandy district.

This has been done to prevent the spread of false information, the government spokesperson said.

The government ordered more troops to reinforce police and stop the unrest spreading.

Three special police teams, comprising three Deputy Inspector Generals of Police and three Superintendents of Police, have been deployed in Kandy on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara, the police spokesman said.

Meanwhile, following the declaration of a state of emergency, foreign governments, including the US and the UK, have asked their nationals visiting the island nation to &quot;exercise caution, avoid protests and rallies, and comply with local security requirements&quot;.

UN under-secretary-general for political affairs, Jeffrey Feltman will be visiting Sri Lanka this week.

The UN spokesman said that Feltman will reach Colombo on Friday for a three-day tour and is also expected to visit Kandy.

This has been done to prevent the spread of false information, the government spokesperson said

Curfew was re-imposed today in Sri Lanka's riot-hit Kandy district with immediate effect until further notice following reports of violence between majority Sinhala Buddhists and minority Muslims in other areas of the multi-ethnic district. The authorities yesterday imposed curfew till this morning after communal violence erupted in the Theldeniya area of the central hill district that left two persons dead and damaged several mosques and homes. Government spokesperson Rajitha Senaratne said that the curfew has been extended to prevent further violence. Police fired teargas shells to disperse rioters in curfew-bound areas hours after a state of emergency was imposed in a bid to quell anti-Muslim violence, a senior police official said. Following the incidents of violence, president Maithripala Sirisena yesterday declared a state of emergency and deployed the police and military to prevent further violence. It was the first time since August 2011 that a state of emergency was in force in the Indian Ocean's island nation. In the incidents of overnight violence in a Kandy suburb, Menikhinna, three policemen were injured while seven people were arrested for breaking the curfew and trying to cause unrest, police spokesman Superintendent of Police (SP) Ruwan Gunasekera said. The government sent troops and elite police commandos to Kandy, home to famous tea plantations and Buddhist relics, to restore order and enforce the curfew. The curfew was lifted last morning but was re-imposed soon after several mosques, shops and homes belonging to the minority community were badly damaged in the attacks by the Sinhalese Buddhists. Sri Lanka has a long history of the state of emergency during the LTTE rebellion both in the south and the Tamil minority-dominated north and east of the island. Schools in Kandy, which is about 115 kilometres from Colombo, remained closed today. The Sri Lanka government also has restricted the access to the internet and blocked social media site Facebook in the Kandy district. This has been done to prevent the spread of false information, the government spokesperson said. The government ordered more troops to reinforce police and stop the unrest spreading. Three special police teams, comprising three Deputy Inspector Generals of Police and three Superintendents of Police, have been deployed in Kandy on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara, the police spokesman said. Meanwhile, following the declaration of a state of emergency, foreign governments, including the US and the UK, have asked their nationals visiting the island nation to "exercise caution, avoid protests and rallies, and comply with local security requirements". UN under-secretary-general for political affairs, Jeffrey Feltman will be visiting Sri Lanka this week. The UN spokesman said that Feltman will reach Colombo on Friday for a three-day tour and is also expected to visit Kandy.

Sri Lanka: Curfew re-imposed in Kandy, government blocks internet

Sri Lanka declared a nationwide <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-imposes-10-day-emergency-in-kandy-due-to-communal-tension-34868">state of emergency</a> for 10 days on Tuesday to stop the spread of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-imposes-10-day-emergency-in-kandy-due-to-communal-tension-34868">communal violence</a>, a government spokesman said, after clashes erupted between majority Buddhists and members of the minority Muslim community.

As a result of growing tension between the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-imposes-10-day-emergency-in-kandy-due-to-communal-tension-34868">two communities</a> in Sri Lanka over the past year, with some hardline Buddhist groups accusing Muslims of forcing people to convert to Islam and vandalising Buddhist archaeological sites.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-sri-lanka-t20-preview-rohit-sharmas-young-guns-need-to-fire-34846">first match</a> of&nbsp;&quot;Nidahas Trophy&quot; which is a tri-nation series is scheduled today between<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-sri-lanka-t20-preview-rohit-sharmas-young-guns-need-to-fire-34846"> India and Sri Lanka</a> at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

Amid political chaos, the officials of Sri Lankan government told&nbsp;a sports-related&nbsp;media venture that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-sri-lanka-t20-preview-rohit-sharmas-young-guns-need-to-fire-34846">the match</a> will happen at its scheduled time irrespective of the state of emergency in other Sri Lankan parts.

BCCI has tweeted that, &quot;There have been reports of curfew and an emergency being called in Sri Lanka. The situation is in Kandy, not Colombo. After talking to concerned security personnel, we have understood that situation is completely normal in Colombo: BCCI <a data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvSL?src=hash"><s>#</s>INDvSL</a>&quot;

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There have been reports of curfew and an emergency being called in Sri Lanka. The situation is in Kandy, not Colombo. After talking to concerned security personnel, we have understood that situation is completely normal in Colombo: BCCI <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvSL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvSL</a> <a href="https://t.co/4rTXZ8C8Mb">pic.twitter.com/4rTXZ8C8Mb</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/970954015717683200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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BCCI&#39;s acting president C K Khanna told PTI: &quot;The Indian cricket board is in constant touch with the Sri Lankan government authorities. The security is foolproof and we have been assured that there is no threat to the tournament. So the Indian team, as of now, will be playing the tournament.&quot;

The first match of "Nidahas Trophy" which is a tri-nation series is scheduled today between India and Sri Lanka at Colombo

Sri Lanka declared a nationwide state of emergency for 10 days on Tuesday to stop the spread of communal violence, a government spokesman said, after clashes erupted between majority Buddhists and members of the minority Muslim community. As a result of growing tension between the two communities in Sri Lanka over the past year, with some hardline Buddhist groups accusing Muslims of forcing people to convert to Islam and vandalising Buddhist archaeological sites. The first match of "Nidahas Trophy" which is a tri-nation series is scheduled today between India and Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Amid political chaos, the officials of Sri Lankan government told a sports-related media venture that the match will happen at its scheduled time irrespective of the state of emergency in other Sri Lankan parts. BCCI has tweeted that, "There have been reports of curfew and an emergency being called in Sri Lanka. The situation is in Kandy, not Colombo. After talking to concerned security personnel, we have understood that situation is completely normal in Colombo: BCCI #INDvSL" There have been reports of curfew and an emergency being called in Sri Lanka. The situation is in Kandy, not Colombo. After talking to concerned security personnel, we have understood that situation is completely normal in Colombo: BCCI #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/4rTXZ8C8Mb — ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2018 × BCCI's acting president C K Khanna told PTI: "The Indian cricket board is in constant touch with the Sri Lankan government authorities. The security is foolproof and we have been assured that there is no threat to the tournament. So the Indian team, as of now, will be playing the tournament."

Emergency won't affect India vs Sri Lanka opening match: BCCI

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