India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed for calm as violent protests against a new law on illegal migrants entered a fifth day.

There are large protests in the capital Delhi as well as in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata (formerly Calcutta).

On Sunday, police used tear gas and detained protesters, as buses were torched and roads blocked.

The new law entitles citizenship to some non-Muslim migrants from three Muslim-majority countries.

But people are divided on why they have taken to the streets.

Some critics say the law is anti-Muslim, while others - especially in border regions - fear large-scale migration.

On Monday, as protests resumed in Delhi and several other cities, Mr Modi took to Twitter to reassure protesters.

"I want to unequivocally assure my fellow Indians that Citizenship Amendment Act does not affect any citizen of India of any religion. No Indian has anything to worry regarding this act. This act is only for those who have faced years of persecution outside and have no other place to go except India," he wrote.

"This is the time to maintain peace, unity and brotherhood."

Authorities have tried to curb the protests by shutting down internet services, so it is unclear how many people in affected areas have seen his tweets.

The protests - which have left six people dead - began in the north-eastern state of Assam on Thursday, before spreading to other parts of northern and eastern India.

Students at universities across the country resumed demonstrations on Monday.

Source: BBC

BDST: 1623 HRS, DEC 16, 2019

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