Security is extremely tight in the western Indian state of Gujarat as Muslims observe the Ashura new year festival Monday. 

Religious violence between Hindus and Muslims has killed more than 700 people in Gujarat this month. 

A Hindu mob hacked a Muslim woman to death Sunday in the Gujarat capital of Ahmedabad. 

Several other people were stabbed and buildings burned in other parts of the state. 

Indian Prime Minster Atal Behari Vajpayee again demanded an end to the violence Sunday, saying it has tarnished the country's image. He insisted that his government does not discriminate based on religion. 

He also said India would not scale down its military presence along the border with Pakistan in Kashmir and said Pakistan will never be allowed to take control over the region. 

Religious violence in Gujarat exploded earlier this month when a Muslim mob set fire to a trainload of Hindu worshippers, burning 58 people to death. 

Hindus retaliated with mob violence that left hundreds of people dead, mostly Muslims. 

At the heart of the tension is an ancient holy site in Ayodhya, where Muslims want to build a mosque and Hindus a temple. 

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