BBC News Online: World: South Asia

Separatist group bans Hindu festivities

The leading separatist group in the north-east Indian state of Tripura has ordered indigenous tribespeople to stay away from celebrations of the Hindu festival Durga Puja.

The outlawed National Liberation Front of Tripura warned that any tribal members seen taking part in the festival would be killed.

In a statement, the NLFT said it wanted all tribespeople in Tripura to become Christians because the practice of Hinduism has led to them being marginalised by people of Bengali origin living in the state.

The Durga Puja is the biggest festival to be celebrated by Hindus from Bengal.

But Hindu tribal leaders have said they will defy the ban and take part in the celebrations.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service