CARACAS, May 31 (Reuters) - Venezuela urged citizens on Thursday not to allow the fatal shooting of a university student to fan protests over the closure of an opposition television network, saying the death was unrelated to political tensions.

Shootings are common in the crime-ridden Venezuelan capital and it is rare for the government to make a statement to the nation about the slaying of an individual.

Interior Minister Pedro Carreno appeared on state television to urge calm after a 24-year-old student was shot dead in a gas station, saying two people had been arrested for killing the woman.

"We are going to keep the country, its citizens and its youth informed -- do not allow manipulation, do not allow this horrific deed to be used by those ... trying to incite protests," he said.

Nationwide protests, sometimes attracting tens of thousands, have been cooling off after leftist President Hugo Chavez on Sunday shut RCTV, the country's oldest broadcaster.

In intermittent clashes, demonstrators have thrown bottles and stones and police have dispersed crowds with tear gas and rubber bullets. The government says the demonstrations are an attempt to destabilize the OPEC nation.

Protesters argue Chavez is damaging democracy with his moves against opposition media while he says RCTV backed a coup against him in 2002.

Venezuelan authorities said on Tuesday night the majority of more than 180 people detained in protests over the television station's closure had been students.

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