22 Karbis killed in Assam

Ethnic strife: 22 Karbis killed in Assam: "At least 22 Karbi tribals were killed in a bus in central Assam during ethnic clashes between the Karbi and Dimasa tribes. District Superintendent of Police Pankaj Sarma said unidentified militants waylaid two buses at around 8:00 am (IST).

The buses were traveling from Jirikinding to Hamren and the district headquarters of Diphu at Jengkha. The insurgents identified Karbi passengers and after asking them to alight from the Diphu-bound bus, hacked them to death before setting their vehicle and the other bus on fire. The Hamren-bound passengers reported the incident at the Milu police outpost under Kheroni police station.

The two long distance buses belonged to the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. The SP, along with security forces, rushed to the site and cordoned off the area and intensified security arrangements. The Karbi and Dimasa tribes have been fighting for years over land in Assam. (With PTI inputs)"