Bail rejected over Godhra attack

A court in the Indian state of Gujarat has refused to grant bail to 56 people charged in connection with a train attack last year.

Many people were made homeless after the riots

The accused have been charged under the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota).

More than 70 people have so far been arrested for alleged involvement in the fire-bombing of the train in the town of Godhra last February in which almost 60 people - mostly Hindus - were killed.

The attack led to some of the worst religious clashes seen in the state and left more than 1,000 people - mainly Muslims - dead.

Officials said the decision to use the anti-terror laws, introduced last year, came following the interrogation of a Muslim cleric they say helped plot the attack.

India's Prevention of Terrorism Act allows the authorities to detain terror-related suspects for up to 90 days without trial.

Cleric 'confesses'

On Wednesday, Gujarat Home Minister Amit Shah explained his reasons for using the anti-terror law.

"We have decided to book the Godhra accused under Pota after the designs of the conspirators of the train carnage were unearthed," said Mr Shah.

The violence left devastation in some areas

Maulana Hussain Umarji, a cleric, is suspected of planning the alleged arson attack in Godhra.

Mr Shah told the AFP news agency the cleric had "confessed during his interrogation that he had received financial assistance from outside countries like Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Dubai".

Police say Mr Umarji promised to pay a number of men, who used to meet at his mosque, to carry out the attack and told them to swear on the Koran.

Muslim leaders say Mr Umarji is a respected community figure and claim he may have been forced to make a confession.

Maulana Umarji met Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and opposition Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi during their visits to Gujarat last year and complained of police harassment of Muslims.