Ten dead in riots over Afghan Buddhas

Ten people have died in religious riots between Indian security forces and Muslim protesters sparked by the destruction of two ancient Buddhas in Afghanistan.

Violence in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh started after rumours spread that Hindu activists had burnt a copy of the Koran in protest at the destruction of the statues.

Five rioters and a policeman were killed when armed Muslim supporters of a federal member of parliament, accused of murder and extortion, clashed with police in the Siwan district of Bihar.

In neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, three Muslim protesters and a district official were killed and scores of people injured in clashes in Kanpur, east of New Delhi.

The two Hindus, members of the extremist group Bajrang Dal, were arrested in New Delhi on March 5 outside the local United Nations headquarters.

A curfew has been imposed in several neighbourhoods in Kanpur and authorities summoned additional security backup from nearby districts to control the rioters.

The Muslim rioters were supporters of lawmaker Shahabuddin, who is accused in 29 cases of murder, extortion and kidnapping but has not been convicted.

Shahabuddin initially led his supporters in the clash but later fled under the cover of firing by his supporters.