Death toll rises to 31 in Indian clashes

The death toll from Hindu-Muslim clashes in India's most populous state Uttar Pradesh has climbed to 31, but the violence has been brought under control.

The unrest, during which mobs burned houses and a mosque, erupted over the weekend in the village of Muzaffarnagar, 105 kilometres northeast of the capital New Delhi.

"The death toll has risen to 31, but now everything is peaceful. Things are fully under control - but we are on high alert," Lucknow police inspector RR Bharti said on Tuesday.

The central government on Monday rushed 5000 extra paramilitary personnel to the affected area of the state, which has a history of religion and caste-based violence in its 200-million population.

Uttar Pradesh witnessed riots in 1992 following the razing of a mosque by a Hindu mob. More than 2000 people - mostly Muslims - were killed after the 16th-century structure in Ayodhya was demolished.

The latest violence has triggered speculation that parties are seeking to polarise the politically pivotal state along religious lines ahead of general elections due next year.

Villagers crowded police stations and mosques seeking safety as local media reported that mobs had ambushed people attempting to flee violence-torn areas.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed "grief and shock" over the violence on Monday and promised "all required assistance" to the state government for "tackling the situation".

The clashes erupted late Saturday after thousands of Hindu farmers held a meeting to demand justice over the killing of three Hindu men who had protested when a woman was allegedly harassed.

Inflammatory speeches calling for action against Muslims were allegedly made during the meeting and the farmers were attacked as they were returning home, triggering an angry backlash, a senior police officer said.

Clashes then broke out in neighbouring villages between Hindus and Muslims and the army stepped in to try to control the situation.