AN EAST Lancashire Muslim group is advising people not to travel to the troubled Indian state of Gujarat following the violence which has resulted 544 deaths in six days of Hindu-Muslim violence.

Two people were killed yesterday after police opened fire on a mob trying to set fire to buildings.

East Lancashire has strong links with Gujarat. Many of the region's Muslim population have relatives in the state and they rallied together to raise thousands when an earthquake struck last year.

Ismail Lorgat, from the Blackburn Gujarati Muslims Association, today warned people not to travel to the scene of the violence.

He said: "Our immediate concern is for Muslims wishing to travel to Gujarat or indeed anywhere in India. Our advice is for them not to go. If people are already there, they should stay indoors and stay away from the city and highways."

Mr Lorgat, whose mother lives in Gujarat, said there were currently a lot of people from East Lancashire that he knew were in India. He said some had gone to see relatives to celebrate Eid last month, or had gone after the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.

He said: "I have spoken to my family, who are alright, but there are a lot of people from East Lancashire there at the moment."

The chairman of the Blackburn with Darwen Interfaith Council called for calm and hoped the situation would be resolved quickly.

Queens Park Ward councillor Salim Mulla said he also feared for his Muslim relatives.

He said: "My brother-in-law lives in Ahmadabad and I visit there every time I go to India. I will be trying to contact them today to see if they are alright."

Violence has gripped Gujarat since last Wednesday, when Muslims set fire to a train carrying Hindu nationalists. The 58 deaths provoked a retaliatory rampage by Hindus. Most of those subsequently killed have been Muslims.