India's PM urges calm after caste riots

INDIA: India's prime minister appealed Saturday for peace in the desert state of Rajasthan, where 28 people have died in ethnic violence in the past week.

Manmohan Singh also expressed grief over the loss of life, his office said in a statement, amid continuing tensions in the western tourist state.

His comments came after a protest campaign by the ethnic Gujjar community to demand more government benefits degenerated into bloodshed and lawlessness. On Friday, eight people were killed and up to 20 injured in clashes between the Gujjars and rival Meena community. Earlier in the week, 20 people died in clashes between the Gujjars and the police.

The Gujjars, nomadic shepherds who make up about five percent of the state population, want to be included in a list of "scheduled tribes" given special treatment in education and government jobs.

The powerful Meenas, who make up about 15 percent of the population and already enjoy the privileges, oppose the Gujjars' demand as it would mean more competition for them.

New Delhi, Sunday, AFP