Hindus mark Gujarat attack

Hindu activists continue to pray for a temple at Ayodhya

Hardline Hindus have held prayers in the western Indian state of Gujarat to mark the second anniversary of a train attack which sparked bloody communal riots.

A small prayer meeting was held in the town of Godhra, where 58 Hindus were torched, allegedly by a Muslim mob.

The retaliatory riots which followed the incident left more than 1,000 people dead, most of them Muslims.

More than 80 people have been arrested in connection with the incident so far.

The Godhra meeting was organised by the hardline Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP, World Hindu Council).

It contrasts with last year when ceremonies were held across Gujarat.

Communal violence

Three people have been killed in clashes between Hindus and Muslims in a city in Gujarat ahead of the second anniversary of the train attack, police said.

Two people were killed and five injured in a clash which began in the city of Baroda on Wednesday after some people threw stones at a procession by Muslims.

Police said they had to fire warning shots and tear gas shells to disperse the mob.

On Friday, a man was stabbed to death in the Panigate area of Baroda.