While the authorities have sought to quell the protests cordoning off central New Delhi and subjecting the rest of the city to traffic restrictions violence has escalated.

After cutting off electricity and barricading the area around the sit in with road blocks and a convoy of about 30 vehicles, a barrage of tear gas, sound grenades and water cannon rained down on the camp.

Security forces surrounded the houses and reportedly forced all family members into one room, while the arrested person was beaten up and insulted by the soldiers before being taken away.

The militias involved in encircling Jowhar included that of Muse Suudi, who moved his militia to a position about five kilometres south west of the city.

Concerned that they would lose past privileges, Mr. Mazio and his allies have resisted the restoration of normal fiscal and border practices. This has included, for example, organizing a blockade of Aru and Ariwara border posts in Uganda for several weeks.