Human Rights Watch has called on India's government to investigate what it described as the unnecessary and excessive use of force by security forces who used tear gas and batons against largely peaceful student protesters in New Delhi.
The condemnation came as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government offered to hold open-ended discussions with leaders of the protest movement, which is demanding the resignation of the country's education minister.
India now ranks as the highest-risk country on a leading civil unrest index, with protest participation more than doubling over the past year.
Neha Poonia reports from New Delhi.
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Neha Poonia in New Delhi says the Cockroach Janta Party has rejected the government's invitation to hold talks at a minister's residence, insisting instead on a neutral venue.
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Neha Poonia, reporting from New Delhi, says the crowd at the Jantar Mantar protest site has grown significantly since the police crackdown, despite authorities shutting metro stations and restricting internet access.
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