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Deadly Rural Protests Create Water Crisis in New Delhi


A woman waits to fill water in her containers from a municipal tap in New Delhi, India, Feb. 21, 2016. India deployed thousands of troops in a northern state to quell protests that have severely hit water supplies to Delhi.
A woman waits to fill water in her containers from a municipal tap in New Delhi, India, Feb. 21, 2016. India deployed thousands of troops in a northern state to quell protests that have severely hit water supplies to Delhi.

Two days of violent protests in northeastern India have turned deadly and plunged the capital of New Delhi in a water-supply crisis.

Haryana state has been the scene of a week-old demonstration by members of the rural agricultural Jat caste, who are demanding federal and state benefits, including guaranteed government jobs and university placement.

The protests turned violent Friday, with demonstrators setting fire to homes and railway stations, and damaging equipment that transports water from a canal in Haryana to New Delhi.

Burnt vehicles by protesters are seen piled up in Rohtak, in Haryana state, India, Feb. 21, 2016.
Burnt vehicles by protesters are seen piled up in Rohtak, in Haryana state, India, Feb. 21, 2016.

Ten people were killed when police opened fire on the protesters. Another 150 people were wounded in various clashes.

New Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced Sunday that water would be rationed throughout the city, and closed schools on Monday to conserve supplies.

India has an affirmative action policy aimed reversing discrimination against people in the country's lower castes.

Some material for this report comes from AP, AFP and Reuters.

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