A series of coordinated bombings rocked a packed railway station and a crowded Hindu temple yesterday in the holy city of Varanasi, killing at least 20 persons and injuring dozens in an attack that raised fears of communal violence.

Cities across India were put on high alert as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appealed for calm, according to his spokesman, Sanjaya Baru.

"Stern action will be initiated against all those found involved," said Mulayam Singh Yadav, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, the state where the blasts occurred.

The attacks, which injured at least 62 persons, occurred only days after Hindus and Muslims fought in the streets of Lucknow, leaving four persons dead, during a visit to India by President Bush.

The next day, Hindus looted Muslim shops and burned vehicles in the coastal resort of Goa in a dispute over a mosque demolition.

It was not clear whether the bombings yesterday were the work of anti-government or anti-Hindu militant groups or were connected to Mr. Bush's visit.

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