AN INDIAN diplomat cancelled a visit to Blackburn at the last minute last night after more than 200 Kashmiri people demonstrated against him coming.

Shri H S Purri, India's deputy high commissioner was scheduled to join a seminar on human rights at the Jan Conference Hall on Higher Audley Street at 7pm.

But the Kashmir Welfare Association, the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation League and the J and K Liberation Front joined forces to protest outside the hall.

After two telephone warnings were received by the event's organisers they advised the London-based diplomat and his delegation not to attend.

Blackburn's Kashmiri community wanted to protest against what they describe as the Indian government's occupation of Kashmir, and treatment of their people.

Banners with the words 'Down with India' and Kashmir flags were held as protesters chanted slogans. Four police officers directed traffic and monitored the group's activities.

Councillor Mohammed Siddique of Accrington central ward, along with Blackburn with Darwen Deputy Mayor Councillor Salas Kiani were present at the protest, which was vocal but peaceful.

Mohammed Younis, a member of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, said: "We are fighting for independence, we want all forces out of Kashmir. We will continue to demonstrate until Indian forces leave Kashmir."

Haji Nazir Alam, chairman of the Kashmir Welfare Association Blackburn, said: "A lot of our people gathered here tonight, it would have been peaceful if he had come but someone has given him the wrong story." The evening was meant to highlight the work of Muslim Global Relief -- an organisation from Nelson that has raised £50,000 for people affected by the earthquake in India. But this aspect was overshadowed by the furore surrounding the discussion on human rights, which was meant to just be a part of the evening.

Lord Patel of Blackburn, Chris Davies, a member of the European Parliament, and human rights scholar Dr Allama Shahid Raza spoke in front of an audience of 150.

Imtiaz Patel, public relations officer of Muslim Global Relief, said they had made the decision to cancel the diplomat's appearance after receiving two telephone warnings.

He said: "The group is entitled to protest and give an opinion but we were trying to open this debate about human rights and see what we can do by working together and they must not get caught up in political scenarios."