DATE= 05/07/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=GUJARAT VIOLENCE (S)

NUMBER=2-289507

BYLINE= JIM TEEPLE

DATELINE=NEW DELHI

CONTENT=

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VOICED AT:

INTRO: At least six people were killed in separate incidents of religious

violence Tuesday in India's western Gujarat state. V-O-A's Jim Teeple

reports the deaths were accompanied by new disturbances in Ahmedabad,

the state's most populous city.

TEXT: Among the dead is a Muslim college teacher who was set on fire by

a Hindu mob while riding his motorcycle. A Hindu deliveryman was killed

nearby by a Muslim mob as he rode by on a cart.

The deaths on the outskirts of Ahmedabad prompted authorities to

extend a curfew beyond the city center. Violence has increased in

recent days despite strict curfews in many parts of the city.

Nine weeks of violence has shaken Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's

ruling coalition, led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party,

which also controls the Gujarat state government.

Mr. Vajpayee's government survived a censure motion last week by

the opposition. On Monday the government supported an

opposition-sponsored motion in India's upper house, which called for

federal protection and relief for the victims of violence in Gujarat.

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More than 900 people, mostly Muslims, have died in Gujarat,

since late February, when riots broke out after 58-mostly Hindu

activists were killed, when a Muslim mob set the train they were

riding on fire.

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Opposition lawmakers walked out of parliament on Tuesday to protest what

they say is the government's lack of action in helping tens of thousands

of Muslims displaced by the violence. Opposition parties say the

government wants to shut down refugee camps which house tens of thousands of

Muslim refugees displaced by the violence a charge denied Tuesday by

Home Minister L-K Advani.

Mr. Advani also says the government will not replace Gujarat's Chief

Minister Narendra Modi, a leading member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Opposition parties say Mr. Modi has done little to stop the violence. (Signed)

NEB/JLT/SAB