Security for murder witness

Police in India say they have stepped up security for a servant they believe could provide key evidence about the recent murder of a Christian missionary in Uttar Pradesh, after another important witness died in police custody.

A local Christian group has accused the police of torturing the witness - Vijay Kumar Ekka - to death.

The Indian authorities say Mr Ekka committed suicide, but two policemen have been arrested in connection with his death and an inquiry ordered.

The Christian missionary George Kunjhikandam was battered to death nearly two weeks ago.

Correspondents say the whole case has caused huge embarrassment to the governing Hindu nationalist BJP.

It is the latest in a series of recent attacks on Christians, many of which have been blamed on right-wing Hindu organisations with close links to the BJP.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service