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NEW DELHI (India): The bird flu scare in India might be depressing chicken sales in the domestic market but it is good news for those rearing quail, which is becoming a favourite among the country's urban population, a foreign news agency reported Saturday.

Demand for quail normally a gourmet's delight and limited to upper class clientele in India's major cities has shot up since the fear of bird flu gripped the country.

The high demand has pushed up the price of quail from 140 rupees (3 US dollars) a kilogram (2.2 pounds) to 180 rupees (4 US dollars) a kilo.

The Indian government has insisted the country is free of the avian flu, which has caused the deaths of 22 people and forced the slaughter of millions of chickens elsewhere in Asia.

But many in India are not convinced and have dropped chicken from the menu, at a cost to the domestic poultry industry of at least 110 million dollars, according to industry figures.

Christian missionary attacked in India

Five Hindu activists who allegedly manhandled a Christian missionary and burnt some publicity material, were detained by police in the western Indian desert state of Rajasthan, a foreign news agency reported on Saturday.

The five were detained in Rajasthan's Kota district on charges of a breach of peace and later released after the missionary, connected with the Emmannuel Mission, refused to lodge a complaint.