Tensions remain high, despite police the western state making a number of arrests following a weekend of violence.

Buildings, including schools, hospitals, and churches were attacked on Christmas Day.

In the village of Varki, a Pentecostal church was burned down by what the United Christian Forum for Human Rights (UCFHR) said was a mob of around 70 people from a Hindu extremist organisation.

The Christian community says the attacks are part of a concerted campaign against them which has worsened since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata party came to power in Delhi in March.

However, the leadership of the BJP - which also holds power in the state of Gujarat - has consistently condemned the violence.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee met Christian leaders earlier this month after they held a nationwide protest.

The Chief Secretary of Gujarat and the Director-General of police have been summoned to appear before India's National Commission for Minorities to explain why the Christian population has not been protected.

The commission's chairman, Dr Tahir Mahmood, said he was at a loss to understand why the state government had not succeeded in protecting the Christian population.

Hindus blame 'forcible conversion'

Churches are under police guard

The Hindu groups Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) and Bajrang Dal have both denied accusations that they were responsible in the attacks.

Both organisations said the violence had been provoked by the forcible conversion of Hindus to Christianity.

Christian missionaries in turn say their work is to help the poor, and not to force people to adopt Christianity.

UCFHR co-ordinator Cedric Prakash said the situation remained tense.

"Attacks are continuing despite the presence of police," he said.