Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 09/26/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= INDIA / GUJARAT / S

NUMBER=2-294510

BYLINE= JIM TEEPLE

DATELINE= NEW DELHI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

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INTRO: Thousands of Army and paramilitary troops are on guard in

Indias western Gujarat State, following this week's attack on a Hindu religious

temple that killed 32 people. As V-O-As Jim Teeple reports from New Delhi,

tensions are high in the state, as a result of the killings and a call for a

nationwide strike by Hindu hardliners.

TEXT: Army troops are staging marches through Ahmadebad -- the

commercial capital of Gujarat -- to ensure religious rioting does not break out.

Early Thursday, army and paramilitary forces moved quickly to stop

minor demonstrations in the city, which has been a flashpoint for Hindu-Muslim violence.

Fearing violence, many Muslims have moved to government-run camps in the

city.

A strike called by Hindu nationalist groups to protest the attack

against the Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar was sporadically

observed across India, Thursday.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Indian

officials say notes found on the bodies of the assailants indicate they

belonged to an Islamic militant group.

Senior Indian officials have hinted at Pakistani involvement in the

attack. Officials in Islamabad have categorically denied involvement

and have condemned the attack. (Signed)

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