NEW DELHI: Eight Malaysian families are reported to be safe in riot-hit Haryana, India.

The situation there worsened in the last 24 hours which saw the death toll rising to nine, with more than 100 injured.

An official with the High Commission of Malaysia said an advisory was issued to Malaysians in the border city of Gurgoun, located about 45-minutes drive from the capital, to avoid areas affected by the riots in the state.

“We are monitoring the situation very closely and a report has already been submitted to Wisma Putra,” said the official.

The Indian Home Ministry and local police in Haryana confirmed that more than 3,000 paramilitary soldiers had been airlifted Saturday evening to the riot-hit areas after protesters blocked major highways and railway routes.

Curfew has been imposed in five major districts in the state.

The protest, which entered the ninth day, virtually isolated the state, with a population of 26.4 million, from rest of India.

Internet remained suspended and authorities issued shoot-on-sight orders to security forces following the escalating caste protests. – Bernama