http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gPreUXPb8-ClGpz4Q1BYr1HthqEA

WASHINGTON — An official US commission accused ally India of failing to protect Christian and Muslim minorities from violent attacks, prompting a denial Thursday from New Delhi.

The report from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom placed India on a watch list over alleged failure to prevent a "disturbing increase in communal violence" in the majority Hindu state.

The annual report, released Wednesday, cited attacks in Orissa against Christians in 2008 and against Muslims in Gujarat in 2002.