|
Mrs Ghandi was shot by
her bodyguards |
1984: Violence follows Gandhi
killing |
England have
Outbreaks of religious violence have occurred in parts of India in the
wake of yesterday's assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by Sikh
members of her bodyguard.
Extra police and troops have been deployed in the Indian capital,
Delhi, after angry mobs set fire to four Sikh temples.
Several Sikh-owned businesses were also attacked and stones were thrown
at a car bringing India's President Zai Singh, a Sikh, from the airport.
All gatherings of more than four people have been banned in Delhi and
the army has been put on high alert.
Outbreaks of violence have also been reported in other areas of India.
The most serious was in the town of Agartala in the remote north-east
where an overnight curfew was
imposed after a mob attacked a police station believing Sikhs had taken
refuge inside.
Security has now been tightened and the authorities have moved to
prevent attacks on isolated Sikh communities.
A new prime minister, Mrs Gandhi's son, Rajiv, was sworn in last night,
12 hours after his mother's death.
In a late-night broadcast to the country, Mr Gandhi appealed for calm.
"We should remain calm and exercise the maximum restraint. We should
not let our emotions get the better of us," Mr Gandhi said.
Indira Gandhi was shot at 0900 local time yesterday by two Sikh members
of her bodyguard.
She received 16 bullet wounds at close range in the chest and abdomen.
One of the assassins was shot dead on the spot by other guards; the
other is now in hospital in a critical condition.
Leaders from around the world are expected to gather in Delhi for Mrs
Gandhi's funeral on Saturday.