US Capitol violence: 4 dead, 52 arrested

Violence in Washington after supporters of the US President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol Hill to thwart Joe Biden's presidential win.

On 6th January 2021, demonstrators supporting US President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol Hill in Washington DC, USA aiming to stop the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's win. Reportedly, the US Capitol witnessed heavy violence while 4 people have died and 52 people have been arrested due to the riot, as per CNN.

On Wednesday morning, the US House of Representatives and Senate had met for certification of the Electoral College results, which would validate that Biden's presidential win. Unhappy with the decision, Trump supporters forcefully entered the US Capitol by tearing down the metal barricades on the ground and seized the building while the lawmakers and media were inside the house. There have also been reports of firing on the ground. Police met the protestors in riot gear and used pepper spray and tear gas to control the angry mob's violence.

Addressing the nation, Biden called the violence 'a dark moment' in the USA's history.

Back home, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has denounced the violence in Washington in a tweet which reads, "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."

The incident has come as an aftermath of President Trump addressing the demonstrators and repeatedly enforcing that the election was a fraud as not Biden, but Trump has won the election. However, Trump has now publicly declared that the transfer of power on January 20 would be 'orderly' even though he still believes that the election was fraudulent.

Currently, under heavy security, the victory of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris has been certified as the House resumed working post the violence in the House was brought under control. Social media networks Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have suspended Trump's accounts in the wake of the riots.

Adding to the situation, Iraq court has issues an arrest warrant against Donald Trump related to the killing of Iraqi General, Qassim Soleimani last year. Gen Soleimani and militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed in a Washington-led drone strike last year. The charge is for pre-meditated murder which carries a death penalty upon conviction.

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