Kathmandu, Oct. 20 -- United Nations experts have urged Indian authorities to end the use of excessive force against peaceful protesters, lift blanket bans on public gatherings and investigate alleged human rights violations during recent demonstrations.

In a statement on Tuesday, the experts expressed alarm over what they described as a repeated heavy-handed police response to youth-led demonstrations in New Delhi and other parts of India over the past three months.

They called on the authorities to respect and protect the right to peaceful protest and ensure justice for human rights violations reported during recent and previous demonstrations.

"This crackdown reflects a broader, troubling pattern," the experts said, citing previous ...