Appeals for calm after clashes at Mumbai Muslim rally

More than 20 people have been arrested after violence erupted and two people died near the Mumbai sports ground Azad Maidan during protests organised by a Muslim organisation.

At least 55 people, including police, were injured on Saturday as clashes took place during the rally.

The initial event had been organised to denounce ethnic disturbances in India’s northeastern Assam state, and to draw attention to alleged attacks on the Muslim minority in neighbouring Myanmar.

In an attempt to diffuse the situation, Muslim political leader Abu Azmi said: “I want to appeal to people, especially the Muslim community, that they don’t have to do anything. They have to maintain peace and let the law take its course.”

Tensions have been growing between Assam’s indegenous Bodo tribes, who are largely Hindu and Christian, and Muslim immigrants coming from Bangladesh.

At least 77 people have died in recent violence there, according to India’s Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde.

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