One killed in Gujarat communal violence

At least one person has been killed and several others injured after police opened fire on rioters in the western Indian state of Gujarat.

A second person died in hospital after being shot by police earlier in the week.

The latest incidents come just a day after British officials in India blamed the local authorities in Gujarat for planning and supporting the communal violence.

In a leaked report for the British government, the officials say the violence appeared to be part of an attempt to drive out Muslims, and that reconciliation between Hindus and Muslims was impossible while the current chief minister remained in power.

Indian officials say hundreds of people were killed in the violence, but the British report says the figure was at least 2,000.

The Indian Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, has attacked foreign criticism over Gujarat, saying the country did not need sermons on secularism.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service