Three dead, thousands held in India citizenship row protests

Biju BORO / AFP

Three people have been killed in India and thousands more detained as anger over a controversial citizenship law continues to build.

Police reportedly opened fire on protesters across several parts of the country as they defied temporary bans on public gatherings.

Two people died from injuries sustained during a protest in the city of Mangalore, while another died in Lucknow.

A curfew has been imposed in Mangalore, with schools and restaurants ordered shut.

Authorities have also shut down internet and text messaging across several cities to prevent misuse of social media and for maintaining the law-and-order situation.

The new citizenship law allows non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to take up Indian nationality.

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