March 8, 2002	Friday	Zilhaj 23, 1422

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NEW DELHI, March 7: The death toll in sectarian clashes between Hindus and Muslims in the western Indian state of Gujarat rose to 677, with more bodies recovered and fresh violence reported from a few areas, reports said on Thursday.

The Times of India quoted chief secretary Ashok Narain as saying the toll was likely to further rise because more bodies were being recovered from riot-hit areas.

The Hindustan Times reported at least 24 people died in a series of mob attacks over the last two days in the Godhra and Kheda districts.

After a cook was stabbed to death in Mehmedabad and 14 bodies were recovered in the area, the police on Wednesday imposed an indefinite curfew on the region again.

Six Muslims were also killed in a village near Godhra on Tuesday, the Hindustan Times reported.—dpa