Refrain From Violence: US Calls For Calm Amid Communal Clashes In Haryana

The United States Department of State on Thursday said that the US calls for calm and urges parties to refrain from violence.

"I would say of - with respect to the clashes that obviously we would, as always, urge calm and urge parties to refrain from violent actions," the official spokesperson Matthew Miller from the State Department said.

"With respect to whether we've heard from any Americans, I'm not aware of that. I'm happy to follow up with the - with the embassy," he said on asking whether any American citizens were impacted by the clashes in Gurugram.

Six people, including two home guards, have died in the communal violence which broke out in Nuh after a mob tried to stop a VHP procession on July 31. As many as 116 people have been arrested so far, according to the state government.

In order to maintain peace and public order, mobile internet services in the jurisdictions of Nuh, Faridabad and Palwal districts and in the territorial jurisdiction of Sohna, Pataudi and Manesar sub-divisions of Gurugram districts have been suspended till August 5, the Haryana government said on Thursday.

The security has been strengthened in Haryana's Nuh as the curfew is imposed following clashes. However, this is affecting the lives of commoners.

A local says, "We are facing trouble when it comes to procuring ration items...There is an atmosphere of fear around. We are not sending the children outside...We are very scared at night as well, don't know what will happen..."

A vegetable seller said that their sales have been affected as none are coming out. He said, "I deal in selling vegetables but for the past 2-3 days the sales have been affected...If customers don't come, how will we earn a living? Since nobody is coming, the vegetables are getting spoiled. We are very troubled..."