© REUTERS/Adnan AbidiA man runs past a burning bus that was set on fire by demonstrators during a protest against a new citizenship law, in New Delhi, India, December 15, 2019.
Several buses in south Delhi were set on fire by demonstrators on Saturday, according to local media reports.
A video published by NDTV, taken from the balcony of a building, shows a bus in the middle of the road engulfed in flames, as a huge plume of black smoke rises from the inferno.
Indian media reported that a "pitched battle" had broken out in one neighborhood of the city, with police using tear gas and batons against the demonstrators as the protests turned violent.
The Indian government says the CAB is necessary to protect persecuted religious groups from Muslim-majority Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. But the law does not extend to incorporate Muslims, leading critics to accuse the government of discrimination.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also sought to ease tensions by explaining that it does not infringe upon the rights of Muslims living in India in any way.
Comment: More on the CAB and unrest:
- Indian military warns over spread of fake news as viral video on Assam protests found to depict 2017 mock drill
- India: Citizenship Bill 2019 becomes law with President Ram Nath Kovind's assent
- Indian parliament passes citizenship bill for non-Muslims - protests erupt in province of Assam
- US pressures India with sanctions over citizenship curb for Muslims
UPDATE Dec 15RT reports that police have broken into the grounds of Delhi's Jamia Millia Islama University, where much of the unrest has centered:
Videos have surfaced showing students attacking police with stones prior to the arrests:
There have been claims by students that Delhi police attacked or fired on students, but witnesses claim there was absolutely no firing.