PM Modi condemns US Capitol chaos; violence leaves four dead, several arrested
NEW DELHI:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condemned the chaos at the US Capitol on Wednesday stating that the democratic process cannot be allowed to be subverted through unlawful protests.
“Distressed to see news about rioting and violence in Washington DC. Orderly and peaceful transfer of power must continue. The democratic process cannot be allowed to be subverted through unlawful protests,” PM Modi tweeted.
World Leaders have condemned the storming of the US Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump on Wednesday, expressing shock at the chaos unfolding in a country they once relied upon for global leadership.
A pro-Trump mob breached the US Capitol building in Washington DC on Wednesday afternoon, leading to clashes with law enforcement and halting Senate proceedings as Congress voted to certify Electoral College votes for President-elect Joe Biden.
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National Guard troops, the US Marshals, and state troopers were deployed to Washington DC after the Capitol was breached.
According to latest reports, the Capitol is secure, but the chaos hasn't receded and, with the building secured, Congress returned to the Electoral College debate to certify the 2020 election results.
According to Associated Press, four people died and several were arrested as supporters of President Donald Trump violently occupied the US Capitol.
Washington DC Police Chief Robert Contee said the dead on Wednesday included a woman who was shot by the US Capitol Police, as well as three others who died in “medical emergencies.”
Meanwhile, Washington DC mayor Muriel Bowser has extended public emergency to 15 days following violence at the Capitol.
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US President-elect Joe Biden has termed the incident as an unprecedented assault on democracy, unlike anything we have seen in modern times.
“At this hour, our democracy is under unprecedented assault, unlike anything we have seen in modern times; an assault in the citadel of liberty, an assault on the people's representatives and the capitol police sworn to protect them and the public servants, an assault on the rule of law,” Biden said.
He also stated that the scenes of chaos at the capitol do not reflect a true America, “do not represent who we are. What we are seeing is a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness. This is not dissent, this is disorder; its chaos, it borders on sedition and it must end now. I call on this mob to pull back and allow the work of democracy to go forward,” he added.
US President Donald Trump tweeted, “I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!”
US vice president Mike Pence has termed the siege of the US capitol as a “dark day in the history of the United States Capitol.”
“For people who wreaked havoc at US capitol, you did not win, violence never wins, freedom wins. This is still the people's house. For even in the wake of violence and unprecedented violence and vandalism at this capitol, the elected representatives of the people of the United States have assembled again on the very same day to support and defend the constitution of the United States,” Pence said.
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