Assam: 6 killed in clashes between tribal militants

Six people, three of them women, were killed and over 25 houses set ablaze when militant outfits of two different tribal groups in Assam’s Karbi Anglong hills district clashed.

Six people, three of them women, were killed and over 25 houses set ablaze when militant outfits of two different tribal groups in Assam’s Karbi Anglong hills district clashed.

Suspected militants of Karbi People’s Liberation Tiger (KPLT) early on Friday started indiscriminate firing on several houses in Rengma Naga dominated Khowani village. Four persons, including three women, were killed in the attack. The militants also set ablaze 25 houses in the village.

Police said that altogether seven villages have been affected in the clashes in Karbi Anglong hills district on Friday.

The Rengma Naga Protection Force (RNPF), another militant outfit, attacked the KPLT. Two KPLT militants were killed in RNPF’s counter attack.

“Since December 14, there has been some tension in remote areas in Bokajan sub division of Karbi Anglong particularly after an incident of assault. Today some clashes broke out in remote areas in the district. Additional forces have already been rushed to the trouble-torn areas”, said Pallav Bhattacharya, Additional Director General (Special Branch) of Assam police.

KPLT has launched an armed movement for the creation of separate state for Karbi tribals. The militant outfit imposes ‘taxes’ on non-Karbi communities living in the district. Failure to pay such ‘taxes’ to KPLT led the militant outfit to attack Naga villages.

The district had witnessed several ethnic clashes in the past. Militant outfits allegedly fighting for ethnic groups have often fought among themselves.