Assam: At least 19 killed in ethnic violence

The military has been called into the northeast Indian state of Assam to help put an end to violence and rioting that has killed at least 19 people. Violence between ethnic Bodo residents and immigrant Muslims in Kokrajhar district began last Thursday after two student leaders were shot, Indio-Asian News Service reported Monday. The Hindustan Times said four members of the Bodo tribal community were later hacked to death by Muslims. The area is under curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Officials said two people were killed and several others were injured Sunday evening when a gunmen opened fire at the crowded Mongolian Bazaar market in Chirang district. Police, however, say the shooting was not related to the communal violence. "The situation has improved since [Saturday] but it is still tense. Army has been pressed into service and they are assisting the police and paramilitary forces throughout the Kokrajhar district," SN Singh, the inspector general of police for the Bodoland Territorial Areas District," told IANS. Relief camps have been established for people fleeing the violence, officials said.