The Indian government has been slammed by Keighley MP Ann Cryer for not protecting Muslims during the country's recent race-hate crisis.

She is writing to the Indian High Commission to express concern that police stood by as Hindus murdered Muslims last week.

And she will pass on the views of local Asians - some with relatives in India - who are concerned about the situation.

Hindus rioted in the Gujarat region, killing at least 500 Muslims, after Muslim extremists killed 58 Hindus on a train last week.

The train attack has been linked to a dispute over plans to build a Hindu temple on the ruins of a 16th century Muslim mosque.

Mrs Cryer this week condemned the violence from both sides and said she could not easily take sides.

But she adds: "I feel very strongly for the Muslims who are in small enclaves surrounded by large numbers of Hindus. Two wrongs don't make a right.

"From what we can understand, the Indian police did nothing to protect the Muslims."

Mrs Cryer is willing to meet local people anxious about the Indian situation, ideally as a group, and will pass their comments both to the Indian High Commission and British government ministers.

Khadim Hussain, manager of Keighley's Sangat Community Centre, this week told Mrs Cryer of the concerns of local Asians.

He told the Keighley News: "Quite a number of British citizens are trapped in India. Muslims pass through the country or have relatives there."